Cold exposure among outdoor workers in the Arctic setting

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Environmental Physiology
• Workplace Safety

Background:

• Cold exposure is a significant risk factor for outdoor workers, potentially impacting health and productivity.
• Understanding the interplay between environmental conditions and physical demands is crucial for worker well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify cold exposure and occupational physical activity in diverse outdoor work sectors in northern Sweden.
• To assess workers' perceptions of cold and their knowledge of protective measures.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a mixed-methods approach combining digital surveys, temperature loggers, and accelerometers.
• Collected data from 133 workers across preschool, park/maintenance, and power grid occupations.
• Measured ambient temperatures, duration of cold exposure, and physical activity patterns (sitting, standing, walking).

Main Results:

• 33% of workers frequently felt cold, and 39% lacked adequate knowledge of cold protection.
• Workers spent a median of 131 minutes daily in temperatures below 10°C.
• Outdoor physical activity comprised 20% sitting, 54% standing, and 26% walking.

Conclusions:

• A substantial portion of outdoor workers face significant cold exposure and knowledge gaps regarding protection.
• Findings suggest a need for enhanced thermal insulation in workwear and strategies to increase physical activity during work.
• Interventions should focus on improving both environmental controls and worker education for cold stress prevention.