Are Cal/OSHA Regulations Protecting Farmworkers in California from Heat-Related Illness?

Details

• Personal Author:
  Armitage TL ; Bennett DH ; Castro J ; Langer CE ; Mitchell DC ; Moyce SC ; Schenker MB ; Tancredi DJ ; Vega-Arroyo AJ
• Description:
  Objective: Determine compliance with and effectiveness of California regulations in reducing farmworkers' heat-related illness (HRI) risk and identify main factors contributing to HRI. Methods: In a cross-sectional study of Latino farmworkers, core body temperature (CBT), work rate, and environmental temperature (WBGT) were monitored over a work shift by individual ingestible thermistors, accelerometers, and weather stations, respectively. Multiple logistic modeling was used to identify risk factors for elevated CBT. Results: Although farms complied with Cal/OSHA regulations, worker training of HRI prevention and hydration replacement rates were insufficient. In modeling (AOR [95% CI]) male sex (3.74 [1.22 - 11.54]), WBGT (1.22 [1.08 - 1.38]), work rate (1.004 [1.002 - 1.006]), and increased BMI (1.11 [1.10 - 1.29]) were all independently associated with elevated CBT. Conclusion: Risk of HRI was exacerbated by work rate and environmental temperature despite farms following Cal/OSHA regulations. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Environmental Exposure Farmers Hot Temperature Minority Health Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Environmental Temperature BMI Body Mass Index Body Temperature Environmental Exposure Farm Workers Heat-related Illness Heat Exposure Immigrant Farmworkers Minority Health Occupational Health Policy Protective Measures Regulations Worker Protections Work Rate;

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• ISSN:
  1076-2752
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant ; Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  California ; Montana ; OSHA Region 8 ; OSHA Region 9
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  63
• Issue:
  6
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20062291
• Citation:
  J Occup Environ Med 2021 Jun; 63(6):532-539
• Contact Point Address:
  Chelsea E. Langer, University of California, Davis, Center for Health and the Environment, 1250 Old Davis Road, Davis, CA 95616
• Email:
  celanger@ucdavis.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2021
• NORA Priority Area:
  Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
• Performing Organization:
  University of California - Davis
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20130901
• Source Full Name:
  Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• End Date:
  20180831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:303319f5ec22fdfd5dcc86d202442e8dd0e050da20f8d38b066c1666c12e20980d03fbfd0db45c417a6b73617591bfcddfb83bdab14be37096253ebf600ec7b1
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/225571/cdc_225571_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 168.70 KB ]