Understanding occupational heat exposure in the United States and proposing a quantifying stress index

Sabrin, Samain; Zech, Wesley C.; Nazari, Rouzbeh; Karimi, Maryam

doi:10.1007/s00420-021-01711-0

Cited by 13 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…However, as noted by the authors, the majority of studies employed a weak design. Some studies focus on projected impacts based on modeling [ 23 , 24 ], while others examine cause-and-effect relationships with injury/illness data [ 25 , 26 , 27 ]. An assessment of Texas workers’ compensation injury cases and local temperatures specific to the day of occurrence found both high and low temperatures affected workers’ compensation claim rates.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This study found high temperatures of 86–88 °F increase three-day claim rates by 2.1–2.8% and a day with temperatures over 100 °F increase claim rates by 3.5–3.7% [ 25 ]. An assessment of injury data in Alabama counties, over 5 years, found a significant increase in the number of heat-related occupational incidents over average summer temperatures [ 26 ]. However, it is difficult to link findings to climate change phenomena when looking at short periods of time as there are natural variations such as El Niño years, heatwaves, and other natural variations in climate and temperature that may influence results.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Measurement of heat exposure from external sources and work activities is an important factor in designing a heat stress program. Sabrin et al [ 26 ] suggest the use of a modified index using a combination of a heat balance model and a physiological index that captures workers’ heat perception along with their physiological strain level. Individual strain levels would be mainly characterized by the use of wearables as a means to adjust for any effects of thermoregulating properties from clothing and individual pre-conditions that influence how one responds to heat and work.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Trending Occupational Fatalities and Injuries: An Assessment of Projected Climate Change Related Impacts in the United States since 1992

Mullins-Jaime

2023

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Background: Some impacts of climate change that are expected to affect the American workforce are rising temperatures, greater prevalence of wildland fires, increase in Lyme disease, and exposure to insecticides. The purpose of this study was to assess how fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries due to environmental heat, forest/brush fires, Lyme disease, and exposure to insecticides have changed over time in the United States and if there were any significant relationships between national occupational injury/illness data and national temperature trends. Methods: Linear regression models assessed fatal and non-fatal injuries/illnesses since 1992 by both the frequency of incidents and the proportion of total incidents and the effects of national average temperatures. Results: There were significant increases in occupational fatalities and illnesses due to exposure to environmental heat and national average annual temperatures were predictive of heat exposure fatalities and illnesses. Conclusion: Heat exposure is an occupational hazard that must be managed carefully in the coming years. Organizations will need to take more aggressive heat exposure control measures as temperatures continue to rise and remain hotter for longer periods during the year. While not currently showing increasing trends on a national scale, the prevalence of occupational incidents due to forest/brush fires, Lyme disease, and insecticides should be monitored as the United States experiences more of the projected impacts of climate change.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Trending Occupational Fatalities and Injuries: An Assessment of Projected Climate Change Related Impacts in the United States since 1992

Mullins-Jaime

2023

IJERPH

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“…9 One study found that the incidence of heat-related occupational injuries/illnesses has increased in recent years in the United States. 10 A study using data from Arizona, California, and Nevada found that occupational heat-related injuries/ illnesses were steadily increasing in those states between 2011 and 2018. 11 Another study using data about occupational heat-related hospitalizations from nine southeastern states found that the rates of hospitalizations were higher for males and Black workers.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A literature review of heat-related occupational morbidity and mortality in the United States reported that this topic was understudied and that there is a need for additional research that characterizes workers vulnerable to these incidents 9 . One study found that the incidence of heat-related occupational injuries/illnesses has increased in recent years in the United States 10 . A study using data from Arizona, California, and Nevada found that occupational heat-related injuries/illnesses were steadily increasing in those states between 2011 and 2018 11 .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%