The impact of perceived heat stress symptoms on work-related tasks and social factors: A cross-sectional survey of Australia's Monsoonal North

Carter, Sarah; Field, Emma; Oppermann, Elspeth

doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2019.102918

Cited by 39 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…For the purpose of analysis, heat strain symptoms from the survey data (Table 4) were grouped to form two case definitions of heat illness (i.e., heat exhaustion and heat stroke). This is in line with previously published research (Carter et al 2020). A chronic low-grade case was defined as workers reporting daily or weekly frequency of any of the following symptoms: rash, muscle cramps, headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and irritability.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 64%

“…The cross-sectional questionnaire incorporated elements from previous heat stress surveys (Hunt 2011;Carter et al 2020) and was hosted by SurveyMonkey (San Mateo, CA, USA)-copies of the complete survey are available from the lead author upon request. Potential respondents to this survey were advised of its availability via a range of organizational communication channels (e.g., email with embedded link, work group meetings, private Facebook account only accessible by staff, internal intranet news service, SMS to work mobile).…”

Section: Survey and Timingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Influence of age, geographical region, and work unit on heat strain symptoms: a cross-sectional survey of electrical utility workers

Rogerson

Brearley

Meir

et al. 2020

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

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This study assessed self-reported heat strain symptoms in workers of a state wide electrical utility distributor to determine risk differences between age groups, geographical work regions and work units. Out of a total 3,250 workers, 918 ($28%) outdoor staff completed an online survey, which assessed the frequency of self-reported heat strain symptoms in the work and post-work settings, factors contributing to symptoms and symptom management. Heat strain symptoms were grouped into chronic low-grade cases and isolated high-grade cases based on the severity and frequency of symptoms. The risk (likelihood) of an employee being classified as either a chronic low-grade or isolated high-grade case was calculated and compared to the mean risk of all categories to determine risk difference, expressed as À1.00 to 1.00. For chronic low-grade cases, the 41-50 years age group had significantly increased risk (þ0.08, p < 0.05) while the over 60 years age group had significantly decreased risk (-0.14, p < 0.05). Two of the three regions (p < 0.01) and three of the nine work units also demonstrated risk differences (p < 0.01) for chronic low-grade cases. Work units were the sole grouping to demonstrate risk difference for isolated high-risk cases. Work units with greater exposure to heat and higher requirement for protective clothing, such as Underground (þ0.19, p < 0.05), Overhead -Predominantly Live Line (þ0.18, p < 0.01), and Overhead -Distribution and Transmission (þ0.11, p < 0.05) were at greater risk of reporting heat stress symptoms. This study demonstrates that the pattern of self-reported chronic low-grade heat strain cases differs to isolated high-grade cases within the electrical utility industry. Age, geographical location, and work unit independently alter the risk of chronic low-grade heat strain, while the risk of isolated high-grade heat strain was only related to work unit. These outcomes support implementation of a flexible and targeted approach to heat stress management in large and diverse organizations in which employees are routinely exposed to heat.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 64%

Section: Survey and Timingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of age, geographical region, and work unit on heat strain symptoms: a cross-sectional survey of electrical utility workers

Rogerson

Brearley

Meir

et al. 2020

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

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“…14,15 The combined effects of metabolic rate, clothing, and workplace conditions have been shown to induce hyperthermia (i.e., increased core temperature), 13 accelerate dehydration, [16][17][18][19] and alter perceptual and subjective responses to heat. 17,[20][21][22][23] Together, these factors transform physical working conditions 3,6 and introduce potential hazards to the work setting (e.g., grip problems from sweat, sweat in eyes, distraction, and timeoff-task) (Figure 1). All factors presented in Figure 1 describe heatrelated presenteeism, which can be defined as losses in productivity when workers are not fully functioning in the workplace (i.e., reductions in physical capacity) due to heat stress.…”

Section: Heat-related Presenteeismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of occupational heat stress on worker productivity and economic cost

Morrissey

Brewer

Williams

et al. 2021

American J Industrial Med

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Heat stress is a growing concern in the occupational setting as it endangers worker health, safety, and productivity. Heat-related reductions in physical work capacity and missed workdays directly and indirectly cause productivity losses and may substantially affect the economic wellbeing of the organization. This review highlights the physiological, physical, psychological, and financial harms of heat stress on worker productivity and proposes strategies to quantify heat-related productivity losses. Heat stress produces a vicious-cycle feedback loop that result in adverse outcomes on worker health, safety, and productivity. We propose a theoretical model for implementing an occupational heat safety plan that disrupts this loop, preventing heat-related productivity losses while improving worker health and safety.

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“…over a working day/week) have been associated with medical conditions such as acute kidney disease, especially if chronically dehydrated 39 . 'Hangover' like symptoms have also been reported to occur amongst workers who are chronically exposed to thermally stressful conditions, which have the potential to affect individuals' sleep, appetite and relationships with friends and family 40 . The comments provided by the respondents highlight the impact of wearing PPE on HCWs' health and well-being with 13.4% reporting that their physical and mental well-being had been affected.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heat Stress and PPE during COVID-19: Impact on health care workers’ performance, safety and well-being in NHS settings

Davey

Lee

Robbins

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: The impermeable nature of PPE worn by health care workers (HCWs) during the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic can potentiate heat stress which may negatively impact the performance, safety and well-being of HCWs. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate perceived levels of heat stress and its consequences in HCWs required to wear PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. Method: An anonymous online survey was distributed to HCWs required to wear Type 1 or 2 PPE in NHS settings to evaluate the perceived impact of PPE on: (1) physical and cognitive performance; (2) heat stress and heat-related symptoms; (3) frequency of removing PPE due to discomfort caused by heat stress; and (4) general working-life and well-being. Results: The survey received 224 responses from 192 (85.7%) women and 32 (14.3%) men. Even though 71.9% of respondents wore the less thermally challenging PPE (i.e. Type 2), a median of 3 (IQR: 2,5) heat-related symptoms were reported including syncope (7.7%). A median of 1 (IQR: 0-3) cognitive task was adversely affected with attentional focus being the most affected. To relieve discomfort, 32.6% reported removing PPE on five or more occasions in a shift. Ninety two percent reported PPE made their job more difficult and 76.2% advised that physical performance was impaired. Respondents also highlighted concerns of dermatitis and pressure sores in the facial region (22.3%) amongst other factors. Conclusion: Heat stress experienced when PPE is worn negatively impacts the performance, safety and well-being of HCWs and patients. Therefore, modification to current working practices and current design of PPE is urgently required to improve HCWs resilience to pandemics of infectious diseases. Results suggest modifications to the design of the protective face mask and strict enforcement of specific work/rest ratios to limit the duration of PPE use would be immediate impactful interventions.

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The impact of perceived heat stress symptoms on work-related tasks and social factors: A cross-sectional survey of Australia's Monsoonal North

Cited by 39 publications

References 46 publications

Influence of age, geographical region, and work unit on heat strain symptoms: a cross-sectional survey of electrical utility workers

Influence of age, geographical region, and work unit on heat strain symptoms: a cross-sectional survey of electrical utility workers

Impact of occupational heat stress on worker productivity and economic cost

Heat Stress and PPE during COVID-19: Impact on health care workers’ performance, safety and well-being in NHS settings

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