Developing a Feasible Integrated Framework for Occupational Heat Stress Protection: A Step Towards Safer Working...

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health and Safety
• Environmental Science
• Climate Change Adaptation

Background:

• European Union (EU) occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation lacks specific coverage for occupational heat stress.
• Identifying and measuring heat stress is challenging due to numerous environmental and individual factors, and the limitations of internal body temperature as a sole indicator.
• Existing OHS frameworks do not adequately address the risks posed by increasing global temperatures to outdoor and high-intensity workers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the gap in occupational heat stress protection.
• To propose a practical, integrated framework for worker protection against heat stress.
• To evaluate the efficacy of the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) as a thermal stress indicator.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) as a proposed thermal stress indicator.
• Leveraged 48-hour WBGT forecast predictions from the Hellenic National Meteorological Service and real-time measurements via a smartphone application.
• Incorporated insights from occupational heat stress legislation development in Cyprus and Qatar, emphasizing worker exposure characteristics and tripartite collaboration (employers, workers, state).

Main Results:

• The simplified WBGT forecasted values and smartphone application estimates were validated as reliable.
• A scientifically sound basis for practical solutions was established.
• The findings support the integration of WBGT data with administrative measures informed by EU OHS legislative experience.

Conclusions:

• The climate crisis necessitates an urgent, integrated protection framework for workers.
• Declining worker productivity and well-being due to climate change underscore the need for proactive measures.
• The proposed framework offers a viable approach to mitigate occupational heat stress risks.