Occupational Risks of Agricultural Workers Exposed to Heat: Literature Review

Abstract

Proposal: The aim of this study is to conduct a literature review on the occupational hazards of agricultural workers exposed to heat while carrying out their activities. Theoretical Framework: Heat exposure poses a serious occupational risk for agricultural workers, increasing the incidence of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and sunstroke. Method: The methodology adopted for this research involves a literature review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) methodology. Data collection was carried out through a bibliographic survey from the period 2005 to 2024 in the Pubmed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. The search used keywords such as "risks," "workers," "agriculture," and "heat." Results and Discussion: The results revealed the selection of 109 articles, and after reading the abstracts, those that did not align with the research proposal were excluded. After filtering, 07 articles remained, whose topics showed affinity with the research. The literature points to a growing trend of studies addressing thermal discomfort as an occupational hazard, prevalent in open and semi-open environments. Specific studies for certain agricultural operations, such as groups of workers dealing with grain dryers and furnaces, are scarce and have limited conclusions. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed, providing insights into how the results can be applied or influence practical aspects in the field of occupational heat exposure for agricultural workers. These implications can encompass various sectors of post-harvest grain processing. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by gathering information published in different databases on occupational heat exposure. The significance and value of this research are highlighted by a limited number of works in the literature, stressing the need for further research in the field. Based on this premise, more studies on agricultural work in heat-prone environments and consequent thermal discomfort should be encouraged to stimulate discussions on actions to eliminate the risks involved in these operations.