Prevalence of cold-related symptoms among Thai chicken meat industry workers: association with workplace temperature and thermal insulation of clothing

Abstract

This study determined the association of cold-related symptoms with workplace temperature and thermal insulation of clothing among Thai chicken industry workers. Three hundred workers were interviewed regarding cold-related symptoms, which were regressed on worksite temperature and protective clothing. In total, 80% of workers reported respiratory symptoms; 23%, cardiac symptoms; 62%, circulation disturbances; 42%, thirst; 56%, drying of the mouth; and 82%, degradation of their performance. When adjusted for personal characteristics, respiratory symptoms were 1.1-2.2 times more prevalent at-22-10°C than at 10-23°C. At-22-10°C, cardiac symptoms increased by 45%, chest pain by 91%, peripheral circulation disturbances by 25%, and drying of the mouth by 57%. Wearing protective clothing with at least 1.1 clo units was associated with marked reductions in symptom prevalence. Therefore, temperatures lower than 10°C increased prevalence of cold-related symptoms, which are largely preventable by appropriate clothing use.

Rest Break Frequency and Duration: Self-Reported Preference of Brazilian Poultry Slaughterhouse Workers

“…Moreover, almost all workers who used a hand tool had a finger temperature ≤ 24 °C (Ramos et al, 2015, a condition that does not preserve and causes improper functioning of the hands/fingers (ISO, 2007), despite the existence of a more conservative parameter for this purpose (32 and 36 ºC) (Vogt, 2001). Chotiphan et al, (2020) and Phanprasit et al (2021) cited that the prevalence of cold-related pain in slaughterhouse workers exposed to cold environments can be prevented, with the use of appropriate clothing (more layers), decreased exposure time to cold environments, longer warming-up periods, hot drinks, and increasing awareness about the hazards of working in cold environments.…”

Workplace Cold and Perceived Work Ability: Paradoxically Greater Disadvantage for More vs. Less-Educated Poultry Industry Workers in Thailand

“…The database used was previously described in detail (1)(2)(3). The sample was drawn from four chicken meat factories in Central and Northeastern Thailand (Figure 1).…”

“…For example, in Thailand, 82% of poultry industry workers report degradation of performance that they attribute to workplace cold (1). The means used to prevent or mitigate cold harm include protective clothing (2) and restricting the time spent in cold. Despite these measures, the prevalence of various cold adversities remains high and most workers in this industry suffer from at least some cold-related symptoms or degradation of performance (1)(2)(3)(4).…”

“…The means used to prevent or mitigate cold harm include protective clothing (2) and restricting the time spent in cold. Despite these measures, the prevalence of various cold adversities remains high and most workers in this industry suffer from at least some cold-related symptoms or degradation of performance (1)(2)(3)(4). The vulnerability of workers in the food and beverage industry in this country is also shown by the high number of work injuries (5).…”

“…A number of studies have reported the breakdown of workers according to various personal or workplace-related vulnerability factors; however, they used them only for sample descriptions or to adjust for confounding factors (4,(7)(8)(9). Our previous studies of poultry industry workers in Thailand identified highlyeducated workers as a risk group for cold adversity because a disproportionately large proportion of them reported various cold symptoms, especially degradation of performance (1,2). This was unexpected, since in general populations, a high education level is associated with high social class and better health as shown by a wide variety of health indicators (10,11).…”