Heat-Related Knowledge, Perceptions, and Barriers Among Oil Spill Cleanup Responders

Details

• Personal Author:
  Jacklitsch, Brenda L. ; King KA ; Merianos AL ; Vidourek RA
• Description:
  Despite increased risk for heat-related illnesses (HRI) among oil spill cleanup responders, little research has examined factors related to the issue. This study assessed occupational heat-related knowledge, perceptions, and barriers among responders during cleanup activities. A total of 65 responders completed an online survey which examined occupational heat stress during cleanup activities. Of the respondents, most had 25 or more years' experience, worked for companies with 19 or fewer employees, were not classified as safety and health professionals, had a Bachelor's degree or higher, and worked in the northern or central regions of the United States. While most respondents were knowledgeable of heat stress, the items in which respondents were least knowledgeable were: identifying the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke, the appropriate use of salt tablets, the effects of air conditioning on acclimatization, and previous heat-related illness (HRI) as a risk factor. For knowledge of heat stress, there was a significant difference in the employment classification scores for nonsafety and health professionals and safety and health professionals. Respondents reported that they tended to perceive that heat stress can be severe and that HRI's may affect workers. Regarding self-efficacy, most respondents felt confident in contacting emergency medical services for HRI, recognizing signs and symptoms of HRI, and knowing what to do if a coworker became ill. Oil spill cleanup responders are at high risk for HRI, injury, and death and findings illustrate the need to improve heat stress knowledge within training programs with emphasis on non-professionals. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Education Environmental Exposure Environmental Pollution Hazardous Substances Heat Exhaustion Heat Stress Disorders Hot Temperature Occupational Health Safety Staff Development Surveys And Questionnaires

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• Keywords:
  Clean-up Hazards Environmental Hazards Heat Heat Exhaustion Heat Exposure Heat Stress Heat Stroke Questionnaires Statistical Analysis Training Training Research

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• ISSN:
  0925-7535
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DSI - Division of Science Integration
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  120
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20056825
• Citation:
  Saf Sci 2019 Dec; 120:666-671
• Contact Point Address:
  Brenda L. Jacklitsch, 1090 Tusculum Ave, MS C-10, Cincinnati, OH 45226, United States
• Email:
  bjacklitsch@cdc.gov
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2020
• NORA Priority Area:
  Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing ; Construction
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Safety Science
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:400e82b9cf251db353a01bcd83e9506f916eeea7a6231237ad19cffa2f0f376056dc43f4284419ba09cc0a6552d0bcc9c9df3b029f5f89408609c91d06877787
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/214333/cdc_214333_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 205.21 KB ]