A Trend Analysis to Examine the Effects of Climate Change on Heat-Related Illnesses and Deaths Among United States Construction Workers

Details

• Personal Author:
  Dong, Xiuwen S. ; Holloway-Beth A ; Sokas R ; West G
• Description:
  background and objectives: Construction workers perform strenuous tasks and are exposed to temperature extremes. Consequently, they are at risk for heat-related illnesses (HRI) and heat-related death (HRD). Research suggests climate change will exacerbate adverse effects of heat stress, but few studies document the impact of heat among U.S. construction workers. The objectives were to assess temporal and geographic trends in HRI and HRD among U.S. construction workers, and to evaluate the relationship between temperature variability and HRD. methods: Fatality data, denominator data, and climate data were obtained from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Current Population Survey, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, respectively. OSHA Severe Injury Reports involving heat exposure were mapped using G.I.S. software. Distribution of HRD by month, time of day, and region were tabulated for 2011-2016. Pearson's correlation and linear regression tested the association between HRD and average summer temperatures. results: Construction workers represent approximately 6% of the U.S. workforce but accounted for 36% (n=285) of occupational HRD from 1992-2016. Most deaths from 2011-2016 occurred between June and August (78%), primarily between 2:00-3:59 pm (82%). Rate of HRD was statistically significantly elevated in the Southern U.S., where 62% of cases occurred. Rising summer temperatures correlated with increasing frequency (r = 0.609, p = 0.001) and rate of HRD (r = 0.414, p = 0.040). A preliminary interactive map illustrates the geographic distribution of severe injuries involving heat exposure in federal OSHA states and provides case-specific information, including examples of heat exposure contributing to traumatic injury. conclusions: Construction workers are disproportionately at risk for HRD. Results support increasing construction deaths may be due to climate change. A multi-factor approach may help to mitigate adverse occupational effects of climate change including enhancing surveillance, evaluating intervention effectiveness, conducting dissemination research, and by improving regulations and enforcement. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Climate Change Construction Industry Epidemiology Heat Stress Disorders Hot Temperature Mortality Occupational Health Safety Temperature
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Climate And Health Climate Change Construction Industry Construction Workers Fatalities Heat Exposure Heat Stress Hot Environments Mortality Data Temperature Effects Workplace

  More +
• Publisher:
  American Public Health Association
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  District of Columbia ; Illinois ; Maryland ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 5 ; Pennsylvania
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20062932
• Citation:
  Creating the Healthiest Nation: For science. For action. For health. APHA 147th Annual Meeting and Exposition, November 2-6, 2019, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Washington, DC: American Public Health Association, 2019 Nov; :450530
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2020
• Performing Organization:
  CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training, Silver Spring, Maryland
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20090901
• Source Full Name:
  Creating the Healthiest Nation: For science. For action. For health. APHA 147th Annual Meeting and Exposition, November 2-6, 2019, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• End Date:
  20240831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:bd7178f34e29cbfa1fecec6f77c80d5f96f3b3ad74d19cb4b82d354a220b484f912d197f50384a3c2b3bc085635e1f18c46d3feabd89c7f5982d255dc6c8ed2b
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/226097/cdc_226097_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 463.34 KB ]