Outcomes of a Heat Stress Awareness Program on Heat-Related Illness in Municipal Outdoor Workers

Details

• Personal Author:
  Green-McKenzie J ; McCarthy RB ; Shofer FS
• Description:
  Introduction: Heat stress is an occupational hazard. Exposed workers may suffer heat-related illness, disease exacerbation, increased injuries, and reduced productivity. Response strategies include mitigation policies and preparedness. Methods: Frequency of heat-related illness and workers' compensation costs before and after implementation of a voluntary Heat Stress Awareness Program were evaluated retrospectively in outdoor workers from 2009 to 2017. The program consisted of training, acclimatization, and medical monitoring as outlined in NIOSH's Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Heat and Hot Environments. Results: Of the 604 workers assessed, those with two or more risk factors reported a heat-related illness at greater frequency, which decreased after program implementation. Median workers' compensation costs decreased by 50%. Discussion: Heat-related illness prevention programs can be effective in reducing the frequency and severity of these occupational injuries as well as associated costs. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Environmental Exposure Heat Stress Disorders Hot Temperature Men Occupational Health Preventive Medicine Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Staff Development Temperature Women Workplace

  More +
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Acclimatization Climate Change Climatic Effects Environmental Exposure Exposure Levels Hazards Health Effects Heat Heat-related Illness Heat-related Illness Prevention Programs Heat Exhaustion Heat Exposure Heat Stress Humans Increased Ambient Temperature Injuries Medical Monitoring Monitoring Systems Outdoors Outdoor Workers Preventive Medicine Risk Factors Supervisor And Employee Training Temperature Effects Training Work Environment Workers Workers' Compensation Costs

  More +
• ISSN:
  1076-2752
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 6 ; Pennsylvania ; Texas
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  61
• Issue:
  9
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20057138
• Citation:
  J Occup Environ Med 2019 Sep; 61(9):724-728
• Contact Point Address:
  Ronda B. McCarthy, MD, MPH, 2400 Lindsey Hollow, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Department of Emergency Medicine, Waco, TX 76708
• Email:
  ronda_mccarthy@concentra.com
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2019
• Performing Organization:
  University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• End Date:
  20290630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:b66491055ffba4e9d6326fdb38ac6fca60304bdc59ca60d9255fce398bb38d46c6e1d7f3da55b7db739c0170fc1b871ab04ab7b96a2daeb0a3704610f29b10d5
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/214580/cdc_214580_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 205.76 KB ]