Influence of age, geographical region, and work unit on heat strain symptoms: a cross-sectional survey of electrical utility workers

This study assessed self-reported heat strain symptoms in workers of a state wide electrical utility distributor to determine risk differences between age groups, geographical work regions and work units. Out of a total 3,250 workers, 918 (∼28%) outdoor staff completed an online survey, which assess...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of occupational and environmental hygiene 2020-11, Vol.17 (11-12), p.515-522
Main Authors: Rogerson, Shane, Brearley, Matt, Meir, Rudi, Brooks, Lyndon
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Age
Age Factors
Age groups
Cross-Sectional Studies
Distributors
Female
Geographical distribution
Geographical locations
Geography
Heat
Heat stress
Heat Stress Disorders - epidemiology
Heat tolerance
Hot Temperature
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Occupational exposure
Occupational Exposure - statistics & numerical data
Polls & surveys
Protective clothing
Protective Clothing - adverse effects
Queensland - epidemiology
Risk
Self report
Surveys and Questionnaires
Symptom management
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Summary:This study assessed self-reported heat strain symptoms in workers of a state wide electrical utility distributor to determine risk differences between age groups, geographical work regions and work units. Out of a total 3,250 workers, 918 (∼28%) outdoor staff completed an online survey, which assessed the frequency of self-reported heat strain symptoms in the work and post-work settings, factors contributing to symptoms and symptom management. Heat strain symptoms were grouped into chronic low-grade cases and isolated high-grade cases based on the severity and frequency of symptoms. The risk (likelihood) of an employee being classified as either a chronic low-grade or isolated high-grade case was calculated and compared to the mean risk of all categories to determine risk difference, expressed as -1.00 to 1.00. For chronic low-grade cases, the 41-50 years age group had significantly increased risk (+0.08, p 
ISSN:1545-9624
1545-9632
DOI:10.1080/15459624.2020.1834112