Assessing physical and mental fatigue in construction workers: validating sweat lactate as a biomarker

Abstract

This research tackles the challenge of accurately assessing fatigue among construction workers, a major factor in workplace accidents. Traditional methods often overlook the connection between physical and mental fatigue. Our study introduces a comprehensive evaluation method using a wireless sweat-based lactate biosensor. Lactate, crucial for muscle and brain function, serves as an indicator for both physical and mental fatigue. We conducted two experiments with thirteen construction workers: one on physical fatigue during material handling and another on mental fatigue during equipment operation. The effectiveness of sweat lactate levels in monitoring fatigue was compared with established metrics. Our findings demonstrate the potential of sweat-based lactate as a reliable biomarker for fatigue, marking a significant advancement in assessment methods. This study not only confirms lactate’s effectiveness as a fatigue indicator but also enhances fatigue monitoring in construction, promising improved worker safety and productivity.

Keywords

• Mental fatigue
• Physical fatigue
• Chemical biomarkers
• Sweat lactate
• Construction workers