Cambio climático y sus efectos en las condiciones laborales de los trabajadores del sector de la construcción: Análisis bibliométrico 2019 - 2025

Abstract

Climate change has become a critical determinant for Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), especially in the construction sector, where extreme variations in temperature, humidity, and radiation directly affect workers' well-being. This study analyzed the effects of climate change on working conditions in the sector through a systematic review and bibliometric analysis of scientific publications between 2019 and 2025. The systematization of the literature allowed for the identification of three thematic areas: (1) the effects of climate change on workers' health, highlighting cardiovascular, renal, and respiratory diseases, as well as heat stress; (2) the repercussions on productivity and job performance; and (3) the incorporation of climate variables and technological solutions to anticipate and mitigate risks. The bibliometric analysis revealed a progressive increase in publications and the consolidation of collaborative networks, with the United States, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia as leaders, and authors such as Al-Bouwarthan, Han, and Idris as key figures. The co-citation network confirmed three thematic areas. In turn, the co-occurrence of keywords formed two main clusters: health and occupational risks; and population and work context. Despite advances in research, significant gaps remain: a scarcity of longitudinal studies, limited evidence in Latin America, insufficient consideration of differentiated vulnerabilities in relation to the study population, the absence of economic analyses, and a lack of normative research. These identified gaps will serve to guide future research and strengthen occupational safety and health (OSH) in the face of the challenges of climate change.