Re-evaluating occupational heat stress in a changing climate

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Occupational Safety
• Climate Change Science

Background:

• Climate change is increasing the risk of occupational heat stress globally.
• Vulnerable populations in tropical and subtropical regions face the highest risks.
• Existing heat stress controls and assessment methods are insufficient.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present occupational heat stress within the context of climate change.
• To review the impacts of heat stress on workers, workplaces, and economies.
• To discuss implications for heat stress assessment and control strategies.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on occupational heat stress and climate change.
• Analysis of existing heat stress assessment tools and control measures.
• Discussion of limitations and recommendations for future research and policy.

Main Results:

• Substantial consequences of heat stress on workers, workplaces, and economies are projected.
• Middle- and low-income tropical/subtropical regions are at high risk due to limited control availability.
• Current assessment methods have limitations requiring development of economical, practical, and universal approaches.

Conclusions:

• Economical, practical, and universal heat stress assessment methods are needed, adaptable to varying data availability.
• Validation across diverse environments and centralized data analysis are essential for effective hazard assessment and adaptation planning.
• Heat stress standards must consider worker acclimatization, vulnerabilities, and resources, necessitating collaboration among exposure scientists and other experts for effective prevention and control.