Designing the future of workwear. Smart solutions for thermal safety in the climate change era

In contemporary times, the rise in the Earth's surface temperature has been largely attributed to anthropogenic causes. The increasing intensity of extreme weather events and prolonged heat waves has significantly impacted work and production activities, leading to widespread thermal discomfort and elevated heat stress. Construction and road workers are particularly exposed to health and occupational safety issues in this context, as they face heightened workplace risks and an increased risk of developing short- and long-term occupational diseases. A study of existing literature reveals that personal protective equipment designed for thermal mitigation remains underutilised, largely due to ergonomic limitations, high production costs, inadequate integration into daily workflows, and cultural resistance. In response, wearable technologies have emerged as a promising avenue for counteracting heat-related risks. Thermoregulation systems that can detect, respond to and adapt to thermal stimuli show significant potential for protecting the most exposed workers. This paper provides a synthesis of existing wearable thermoregulation systems, identifies key gaps in their ergonomic implementation, and outlines future directions for interdisciplinary research and design innovation.