Variability in Hydration and Cooling Practices Among Farmworkers at Risk for Heat-Related Illness in Washington and Oregon

Details

• Personal Author:
  Bethel J ; Krenz J ; Spector J
• Description:
  Background and Objectives: Although recommendations exist for the prevention of occupational heat-related illness among farmworkers that include certain hydration and cooling practices, it is not known to what extent these recommendations are universally practiced. The objective of the analysis was to compare hydration and cooling practices between a sample of farmworkers in Oregon and Washington. Methods: A survey of HRI risk factors was administered to a purposive sample of Oregon and Washington farmworkers, respectively. Researchers in both states jointly developed a core set of questions to include in respective surveys. Data collected included demographics, work history and current work practices, hydration practices, access and use of cooling measures, and headwear and clothing worn. A chi-square test was used to compare variables between states. Results: Overall, 197 participants completed surveys in the two states. While nearly all (98.5%) of participants consumed water at work the previous week, participants in Oregon were more likely than participants in Washington to consume soda, sports drinks, juice, hot coffee or tea, and iced coffee or tea. Workers in Oregon more frequently reported using various cooling measures compared to workers in Washington including shade structures, rest stations, car with air conditioning, wet clothes, and a hose. Conclusions: These results highlight the large variability between workers in two states regarding access and methods workers use to stay cool while working in the heat. While some differences may reflect differences in work and work environments, basic hydration and cooling recommendations appear to be practiced to varying degrees. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Agriculture Demography Farmers Hot Temperature Occupational Health Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Workplace
• Keywords:
  Agricultural Industry Agricultural Workers Demographic Characteristics Farm Workers Heat Exposure Risk Factors Work Environment Work Practices
• Publisher:
  American Public Health Association
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  Oregon ; OSHA Region 10 ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20053388
• Citation:
  Creating the Healthiest Nation: Ensuring the Right to Health: APHA 144th Annual Meeting and Exposition, October 29 - November 2, 2016, Denver, Colorado. Washington, DC: American Public Health Association, 2016 Oct; :354987
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2017
• NORA Priority Area:
  Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
• Performing Organization:
  University of Washington
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20010930
• Source Full Name:
  Creating the Healthiest Nation: Ensuring the Right to Health: APHA 144th Annual Meeting and Exposition, October 29 - November 2, 2016, Denver, Colorado
• End Date:
  20270929
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:0524d96b1c6e414b8419588031435c1e8733f630ac82dadb020a6389faa21cbf41e96f17b2b2080b2a10f4a3d3feadf93ae0a2049afe6e0df43571a7befc936d
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/216154/cdc_216154_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 127.94 KB ]