Perceptions of Workplace Heat Exposure and Controls among Occupational Hygienists and Relevant Specialists in Australia

Abstract

With warmer weather projections, workplace heat exposure is presenting a growing challenge to workers’ health and safety. Occupational hygienists are the specialist group conducting measurements and providing advice on heat stress management to industry. In order to provide insights into hygienists perceptions on workplace heat exposure, current and future preparedness for extreme heat, and barriers to possible heat adaptation strategies, a self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted during a national conference of the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists. Nearly 90% of the 180 respondents were at least moderately concerned about extreme heat and 19% were dissatisfied with current heat stress prevention measures. Barriers recognized by the participants were lack of awareness (68%), insufficient training (56%), unsatisfactory management commitment (52%), and low compliance with prevention policies (40%). The findings suggest a need to refine occupational heat management and prevention strategies.

Limited Role of Working Time Shift in Offsetting the Increasing Occupational‐Health Cost of Heat Exposure

“…At actual worksites, these recommendations are not always followed (Maiti, 2008;Xiang et al, 2015), and observed worktime reductions associated with increased heat exposure (Yi & Chan, 2017) are generally smaller than those of the recommendations presented herein. First, the labor capacity is calculated based on recommendations intended to prevent occupational heat-related illness.…”

Heat, health, and humidity in Australia's monsoon tropics: a critical review of the problematization of ‘heat’ in a changing climate

“…Yet in the context of very hot ambient temperatures or chronically high WBGT, such strategies also provoke concern regarding lost productivity particularly under the substantial and ongoing increases in temperature as a result of climate change . A similar issue occurs in relation to the focus on hydration in WHS heat stress management across Australia including in the monsoon tropics . Adequate hydration contributes positively to thermoregulation.…”

Occupational heat stress in Australian workplaces

“…As high levels of physical exertion are also often required to perform jobs in these industries, the insidious effects of heat stress on worker health is a persistent concern 3,4 . Other Australian occupations that lead to potentially excessive levels of heat stress include those in the military and emergency services (e.g., firefighters), who must tolerate both exogenous and endogenous sources of heat when performing high intensity physical tasks while wearing protective clothing – often coupled with exposure to high ambient temperatures 5,6 .…”

“…Fluid ingestion and the avoidance of dehydration in hot workplaces is the most prominent heat stress risk mitigation strategy advised by many occupational hygienists 3 . Indeed, this notion is echoed by public health organizations during heat waves and many athletic trainers working with sportsmen/women training and competing in the heat 43,44 .…”

“…In addition to an emphasis on water ingestion, occupational hygienists typically recommend workers drink cold water in order to mitigate thermal strain 3 . While colder water temperatures can be more palatable and therefore encourage drinking, recent research has demonstrated that under certain environmental conditions the notion that cold fluid ingestion physically cools a worker is likely misplaced.…”