Estimation of Heat Stress and Maximum Acceptable Work Time Based on Physiological and Environmental Response in Hot-Dry Climate: A Case Study in Traditional Bakers

Afshari, Davood; Moradi, Saeid; Angali, Kambiz Ahmadi; Shirali, Gholam Abbas

doi:10.15171/ijoem.2019.1582

Cited by 12 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…38,40,41 While it is a possibility that many of workers in the study sample are somewhat acclimatized to the working conditions in bakeries, the Humidex readings point to their exposure to extreme heat during their working hours like in other studies of bakery workers. [40][41][42]44 The precarious working conditions of low-paid workers like those surveyed in this study are often invisible in local policy debates. The findings on low absenteeism due to illness may suggest that many of the surveyed bakery workers in Lebanon continue to work despite experiencing heat-related health symptoms, and like in previous studies, 31,56,57 refrain from taking leave of absence due to job insecurity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

Heat Stress-Related Symptoms among Bakery Workers in Lebanon: A National Cross-Sectional Study

Habib

El-Haddad

Halwani

et al. 2021

INQUIRY

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Heat exposure is linked to a range of heat-related illnesses and injuries. This study assessed the association between workers’ perceptions of the work environment and reports of heat stress-related health symptoms in bakery workers in Lebanon. A national cross-sectional survey of workers was carried out in 504 bakeries in Lebanon. One worker in each bakery was interviewed using questions relating to the workplace environment and heat stress-related health symptoms. Heat and humidity measurements were recorded in bakeries. Descriptive analyses were performed, and logistic regression assessed relationships between the workplace environment, worker perceptions, and reports of heat stress-related health symptoms. In total, 47.2% of workers experienced heat stress-related symptoms, 83% perceived workplace temperatures as hot, and 48% perceived these temperatures as affecting their health. Humidex readings showed that 49% of bakeries had conditions unsafe for routine work tasks. Working under pressure (AOR = 1.65; 95% CI = 1.12-2.43), job dissatisfaction (AOR = 1.76; 95% CI = 1.12-2.79), and perceptions that high temperatures negatively affected health (AOR = 2.73; 95% CI = 1.87-3.99) were all significantly correlated to reports of heat stress-related symptoms. Females were more likely to experience heat stress-related symptoms (AOR = 1.96; 95% CI = 1.13-3.39). Workers who reported low levels of water consumption at work were also more likely to experience heat stress-related health symptoms. We conclude that heat exposure potentially impacts workers’ health in Lebanese bakeries. Improvements in workplace conditions, adequate infrastructure, and workers’ training are key interventions for maintaining workers’ health.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

Heat Stress-Related Symptoms among Bakery Workers in Lebanon: A National Cross-Sectional Study

Habib

El-Haddad

Halwani

et al. 2021

INQUIRY

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“…As part of the data sources evaluation, nearly half of the papers [42][43][44][45][46]48,49,51,52,54,56,58,60,63,72,73,77]) indicated that not all subjects homogeneously completed all parts of the protocols. Concerning any form of reporting bias, most of the criteria were fulfilled and, weaknesses were found when verifying the description of withdrawals and dropouts in six studies [40,41,44,66,67,70]. Finally, the limitations assess-ment revealed that 16 out of the 38 studies [40][41][42]44,47,49,50,55,57,59,63,67,68,[71][72][73] did not describe the limitations and opportunities to improve their developed investigations.…”

Section: Risk Of Bias Assessment and Quality Of Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Both factors do not necessarily mean biased results, but they would certainly enrich their quality and generalisability. In addition, only three investigations [40][41][42] declared randomisation procedures in the participants category, and none described power adjustment or consideration to account for the adequacy of sample size. For four cases [48,53,65,76], with samples under 10 participants, the number of subjects was not considered representative to assure statistical power in the study.…”

Section: Risk Of Bias Assessment and Quality Of Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For this purpose, the chosen equipment consisted mainly of Polar and Garmin heart rate monitors and Equivital, Zephyr and Ecgmove multivariable signals monitors. On the other hand, thermal responses (skin or core body temperature) were identified in 11 of the 38 publications [40,42,45,50,51,65,68,69,72,73,76]. Core temperature was measured with ingestible thermometric pills and skin temperature from various body parts was mainly collected using Equivital LifeMonitors and E4 Empatica wristband-type sensors.…”

Section: Characteristics Of the Included Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Applicability of Physiological Monitoring Systems within Occupational Groups: A Systematic Review

Bustos

Guedes

Baptista

et al. 2021

Sensors

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The emergence of physiological monitoring technologies has produced exceptional opportunities for real-time collection and analysis of workers’ physiological information. To benefit from these safety and health prognostic opportunities, research efforts have explored the applicability of these devices to control workers’ wellbeing levels during occupational activities. A systematic review is proposed to summarise up-to-date progress in applying physiological monitoring systems for occupational groups. Adhering with the PRISMA Statement, five databases were searched from 2014 to 2021, and 12 keywords were combined, concluding with the selection of 38 articles. Sources of risk of bias were assessed regarding randomisation procedures, selective outcome reporting and generalisability of results. Assessment procedures involving non-invasive methods applied with health and safety-related goals were filtered. Working-age participants from homogeneous occupational groups were selected, with these groups primarily including firefighters and construction workers. Research objectives were mainly directed to assess heat stress and physiological workload demands. Heart rate related variables, thermal responses and motion tracking through accelerometry were the most common approaches. Overall, wearable sensors proved to be valid tools for assessing physiological status in working environments. Future research should focus on conducting sensor fusion assessments, engaging wearables in real-time evaluation methods and giving continuous feedback to workers and practitioners.

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“…Of note Bolghanabadi et al [ 15 ] indicated high heat stress in more than 80% of bakers working in Neyshabour. Similarly, a study in Ahvaz [ 16 ], found most of the bakers who acted as participants to be a risk of heat stress. Both studies made these assessments based on wet-bulb globe temperature and made reference to the heat stress standard ISO 7243, which has global application [ 17 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Understanding the role of oxidative stress in the incidence of metabolic syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea

et al. 2021

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Background Understanding the causes and risk factors of metabolic syndrome is important for promoting population health. Oxidative stress has been associated with metabolic syndrome, and also obstructive sleep apnea. These are two diseases which have common prognostic characteristics for heart disease. The aim of this study was to examine the role of oxidative stress in the concurrent presence of metabolic syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea in a working population. Methods Participants were 163 artisan bakers in Shahroud, Iran, routinely exposed to significant heat stress and other oxidative stress indicators on a daily basis as part of their work. Using a cross-sectional design, data relevant to determining metabolic syndrome status according to International Diabetes Federation criteria, and the presence of obstructive sleep apnea according to the STOP-Bang score, was collected. Analyses included hierarchical binary logistic regression to yield predictors of the two diseases. Results Hierarchical binary logistic regression showed that oxidative stress – alongside obesity, no regular exercise, and smoking – was an independent predictor of metabolic syndrome, but not obstructive sleep apnea. Participants who were obese were 28 times more likely to have metabolic syndrome (OR 28.59, 95% CI 4.91–63.02) and 44 times more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea (OR 44.48, 95% CI 4.91–403.28). Participants meeting metabolic syndrome criteria had significantly higher levels of malondialdehyde (p < 0.05) than those who did not. No difference in oxidative stress index levels were found according to obstructive sleep apnea status. Conclusions Our findings suggest that oxidative stress contributes to the onset of metabolic syndrome, and that obstructive sleep apnea is involved in oxidative stress. Whilst obesity, exercise, and smoking remain important targets for reducing the incidence of metabolic syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea, policies to control risks of prolonged exposure to oxidative stress are also relevant in occupations where such environmental conditions exist.

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Estimation of Heat Stress and Maximum Acceptable Work Time Based on Physiological and Environmental Response in Hot-Dry Climate: A Case Study in Traditional Bakers

Cited by 12 publications

References 23 publications

Heat Stress-Related Symptoms among Bakery Workers in Lebanon: A National Cross-Sectional Study

Heat Stress-Related Symptoms among Bakery Workers in Lebanon: A National Cross-Sectional Study

Applicability of Physiological Monitoring Systems within Occupational Groups: A Systematic Review

Understanding the role of oxidative stress in the incidence of metabolic syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea

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