Are workers at risk of occupational injuries due to heat exposure? A comprehensive literature review

Varghese, Blesson M.; Hansen, Alana; Bi, Peng; Pisaniello, Dino

doi:10.1016/j.ssci.2018.04.027

Cited by 130 publications

(89 citation statements)

References 62 publications

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“…Under heat stress in a hot environment, physiological changes occur, mental and physical task performances are reduced [26][27][28][29], as well as cognitive and reaction speed for risk [30,31], resulting in an increase in the accident rate [32,33]. There are also reports that grip problems can cause hand slippage [34].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association between Exposure to Extreme Temperature and Injury at the Workplace

Lee

Choi

et al. 2019

IJERPH

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Exposure to extreme temperature is a critical occupational risk factor. This study aimed to investigate the association between exposure to extreme temperatures and injury at the workplace using data from 92,238 workers (46,175 male and 46,063 female) from the 2014 and 2017 Korean Working Condition Survey. Exposure to extremely high or low temperatures, injury experiences, and personal protective equipment (PPE) wearing behavior were investigated using a questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the association between exposure to extreme temperature and injury experience. The association between injury experience and PPE wearing behavior was analyzed for each exposure group. After adjusting for individual and occupational factors, the odds ratios (ORs) for injury experience were 2.06 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.78–2.38) and 1.64 (95% CI: 1.44–1.85) in both high and low temperature exposure groups, respectively, and 1.45 (95% CI: 1.15–1.83) for those not wearing PPE when exposed to high temperature. There was no significant association shown with wearing PPE and injury experience in the low temperature exposure group. Exposure to extreme temperature tended to increase the risk of injury, and was higher in workers not wearing PPE in high temperature. PPE that can be worn comfortably in high temperature is needed to prevent occupational injury.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association between Exposure to Extreme Temperature and Injury at the Workplace

Lee

Choi

et al. 2019

IJERPH

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“…For example, heat stress is a potential health hazard in both living and working spaces in hot seasons [4,5,6]. People exposed to heat stress can suffer a range of heat illness symptoms, including fatigue, reduced psychomotor performance, loss of concentration and reduced alertness [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modification of the Predicted Heat Strain (PHS) model in predicting human thermal responses for Chinese workers in hot environments

et al. 2019

Building and Environment

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The Predicted Heat Strain (PHS) model predicts physiological responses of European people to heat stress; while its performance for Chinese population remains underexplored. The study conducted a heat exposure experiment (temperature: 35 °C/38 °C/40 °C, relative humidity (RH): 25%/40%/60%) in a well-controlled climate chamber. 10 male Chinese workers were recruited to perform exercises on the treadmill at a speed of 0.5m/s for 120min, to simulate moderate metabolic rate. Rectal temperature(Tre), skin temperature(Tsk), sweat rate(SR) and heart rate(HR) were monitored continuously; the corresponding predicted values were obtained by the PHS model. The results showed that the measured Tre, Tsk, SR increased significantly with increased temperature and humidity. The PHS model overestimated the maximum allowable exposure time of subjects but underestimated the final Tre and Tsk. Bland-Altman analysis showed that the differences and 95%CI between the observed and predicted values increased with increasing temperature and RH and exposure time, indicating the significant prediction deviation of the PHS model. Through adjusting the initial Tre from 36.8 °C to 37 °C, the protection efficacy was improved from original 24.7% to 57.1% for the PHS model. The protection efficacies were further improved to 71.2% through adjusting the maximum HR based on ages, and to 68.2% through adopting the real-time HR to predict metabolic rates. The proposed three methods improve the heat strain prediction in the PHS model for Chinese workers and are more applicable in practical hot working place. This benefits to policy decisions and 2 occupational safety protection for Chinese workers with heat exposure risks.

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“…Although there is a triangulation of findings between this study and current epidemiological evidence, new information is presented about workplace constraints and interpersonal factors that can affect injury risks. Considering these aspects, there is a need to carry out increasingly customized prevention that takes into account the characteristics of each worker (for example, their metabolic rate, age, acclimatization level, medications used and personal heat exposure) as well as the type of work undertaken and the specific work environment [19,20]. This may inform heat awareness and OHS policies in workplaces facing longer and more intense hot spells.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, as well as the thermal environmental hazard, heat risks can be affected by workers' physiological conditions, psychosocial environment and available adaptation options [19]. Heat-stressed workers can display characteristics and symptoms such as fatigue and loss of concentration, which, if ignored can lead to: classic heat-related illnesses ranging in severity from mild to potentially fatal, and/or occupational injuries such as wounds, lacerations, burns and falls, as indicated in a model outlined in a previous study [20].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using a Qualitative Phenomenological Approach to Inform the Etiology and Prevention of Occupational Heat-Related Injuries in Australia

Hansen

Williams

Hanson-Easey

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Epidemiological evidence has shown an association between exposure to high temperatures and occupational injuries, an issue gaining importance with environmental change. The aim of this study was to better understand contributing risk factors and preventive actions based on personal experiences. Interviews were conducted with 21 workers from five Australian states using a critical phenomenological approach to capture the lived experiences of participants, whilst exploring contextual factors that surround these experiences. Two case studies are presented: a cerebrovascular injury and injuries among seasonal horticulture workers. Other accounts of heat-related injuries and heat stress are also presented. Risk factors were classified as individual, interpersonal and organizational. In terms of prevention, participants recommended greater awareness of heat risks and peer-support for co-workers. Adding value to current evidence, we have provided new insights into the etiology of the health consequences of workplace heat exposure with workers identifying a range of influencing factors, prevention measures and adaptation strategies. Underpinning the importance of these are future climate change scenarios, suggesting that extended hot seasons will lead to increasing numbers of workers at risk of heat-stress and associated occupational injuries.

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Are workers at risk of occupational injuries due to heat exposure? A comprehensive literature review

Cited by 130 publications

References 62 publications

Association between Exposure to Extreme Temperature and Injury at the Workplace

Association between Exposure to Extreme Temperature and Injury at the Workplace

Modification of the Predicted Heat Strain (PHS) model in predicting human thermal responses for Chinese workers in hot environments

Using a Qualitative Phenomenological Approach to Inform the Etiology and Prevention of Occupational Heat-Related Injuries in Australia

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