Evaluation of Occupational Exposure Limits for Heat Stress in Outdoor Workers — United States, 2011–2016

Details

• Journal Article:
  Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
• Personal Author:
  Tustin, Aaron W. ; Lamson, Glenn E. ; Jacklitsch, Brenda L. ; Thomas, Richard J. ; Arbury, Sheila B. ; Cannon, Dawn L. ; Gonzales, Richard G. ; Hodgson, Michael J.
• Description:
  What is already known about this topic? Recommended heat stress occupational exposure limits are based primarily on wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT), workload, and acclimatization status. These limits have not been validated at outdoor worksites. What is added by this report? Among 25 outdoor occupational heat-related illnesses, WBGT-based occupational exposure limits were exceeded for all 14 fatalities and for eight of 11 nonfatal illnesses. Six fatalities occurred when the Heat Index was <91 degrees F (32.8 degrees C). What are the implications for public health practice? Whenever heat stress exceeds occupational exposure limits, workers should be protected by acclimatization programs, training about symptom recognition and first aid, and provision of rest breaks, shade, and water. A Heat Index of 85 degrees F (29.4 degrees C) could be used as a screening threshold to prevent heat-related illness. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  First Aid Full Report Hazardous Substances Heat Stress Disorders Hot Temperature Mortality Occupational Diseases Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Public Health Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Staff Development Temperature

  More +
• Keywords:
  Heat stress; Heat exposure; Workers; Occupational Exposure Limits; OELs; Employee exposure; Hot environments; Temperature effects; Climatic conditions; Climatic factors; Recommendations; Outdoor workers; Outdoors; Heat acclimatization; Exposure limits; Fatalities; Public health; Training; Health effects; Clinical symptoms; First aid; Rest periods; Water supply; Drinking water; Screening methods; Hazard recognition; Occupational Safety and Health Administration; OSHA; Health protection; Worker health; Risk factors; Exposure assessment; Heat regulation; Work schedules; Physical stress
• Source:
  MMWR 2018 Jul; 67(26):733-737
• Series:
  Weekly Report: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
• DOI:
  http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6726a1
• ISSN:
  0149-2195
• Pubmed ID:
  29975679
• Pubmed Central ID:
  PMC6048976
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  District of Columbia ; Ohio ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  EID - Education and Information Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  5 pdf pages
• Contributor:
  Bernard, Thomas E.
• Volume:
  67
• Issue:
  26
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20051872
• Email:
  tustin.aaron.w@dol.gov
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2018
• NORA Priority Area:
  Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing ; Construction
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Collection(s):
  Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:fb2bd63699d4bdfefe296d9eb85fa3fe586569ae4dbade924dfdf562c69a015785da29adbdda24d0f3c5ac9834f27ebfadfb6a4165821ca2d23ad2007ff841ed
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/58068/cdc_58068_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 240.76 KB ]