Heat-Related Deaths Among Construction Workers in the United States

Details

• Personal Author:
  Dong, Xiuwen S. ; Holloway-Beth A ; Sokas RK ; Wang X ; West, Gavin H.
• Description:
  Background: Heat is a severe hazard for construction workers and may be worsening with global warming. This study sought to explore heat-related deaths among U.S. construction workers and a possible association with climate change. Methods: Heat-related deaths in the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries from 1992 to 2016 were analyzed. Denominators estimated from the Current Population Survey were matched with demographic and occupational categories in rate calculations. Statistical tests were used to examine heat-related deaths in relation to time, geographic region, and temperature. Results: Construction workers, comprising 6% of the total workforce, accounted for 36% (n = 285) of all occupational heat-related deaths from 1992 to 2016 in the U.S. Mean temperatures from June to August increased gradually over the study period. Increasing summer temperatures from 1997 to 2016 were associated with higher heat-related death rates (r = 0.649; 95% confidence interval: 0.290, 0.848). Compared to all construction workers (risk index = 1), statistically significant elevated risk of heat-related death was found among Hispanics (1.21), in particular workers born in Mexico (1.91). Occupations with a high risk index included cement masons (10.80), roofers (6.93), helpers (6.87), brick masons (3.33), construction laborers (1.93) and heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics (1.60). Conclusions: U.S. construction workers are at a high risk of heat-related death, and this risk has increased with climate change over time. Effective workplace interventions, enhanced surveillance, and improved regulations and enforcement should accompany broader efforts to combat global warming. The construction industry can help reduce global warming through increased implementation of green building principles. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Climate Change Construction Industry Demography Environmental Exposure Hot Temperature Mortality Occupational Health Race Factors Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Temperature Workplace

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• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Climate Change Bricklayers Cement Industry Climate Change Climatic Effects Climatic Factors Construction Construction Industry Construction Workers Demographic Characteristics Exposure Levels Fatal Heat Stroke Fatalities Global Warming Hazards Heat Heat Exposure Occupational Health Outdoor Workers Racial Factors Risk Factors Roofers Statistical Analysis Temperature Effects Work Environment Workers Workplace Intervention Work Zone

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• ISSN:
  0271-3586
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  District of Columbia ; Illinois ; Maryland ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  62
• Issue:
  12
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20056569
• Citation:
  Am J Ind Med 2019 Dec; 62(12):1047-1057
• Contact Point Address:
  Xiuwen Sue Dong, CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training, 8484 Georgia Ave. Suite 1000, Silver Spring, MD 20910
• Email:
  Sdong@cpwr.com
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2020
• Performing Organization:
  CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training, Silver Spring, Maryland
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20090901
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Industrial Medicine
• End Date:
  20240831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:379657f6ea660c6ae78474662e5a64713bcc12f33cfc65e1b34502d1b86bebe238c8c6af13a023ec4f9cac1abb548f92075fafdeb6af54e5b9d49c2fdd2045f0
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/214152/cdc_214152_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 997.83 KB ]