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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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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creator Rogerson, Shane
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Meir, Rudi
Brooks, Lyndon
description 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 
doi_str_mv 10.1080/15459624.2020.1834112
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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 < 0.05) while the over 60 years age group had significantly decreased risk (-0.14, p < 0.05). Two of the three regions (p < 0.01) and three of the nine work units also demonstrated risk differences (p < 0.01) for chronic low-grade cases. Work units were the sole grouping to demonstrate risk difference for isolated high-risk cases. Work units with greater exposure to heat and higher requirement for protective clothing, such as Underground (+0.19, p < 0.05), Overhead - Predominantly Live Line (+0.18, p < 0.01), and Overhead - Distribution and Transmission (+0.11, p < 0.05) were at greater risk of reporting heat stress symptoms. This study demonstrates that the pattern of self-reported chronic low-grade heat strain cases differs to isolated high-grade cases within the electrical utility industry. Age, geographical location, and work unit independently alter the risk of chronic low-grade heat strain, while the risk of isolated high-grade heat strain was only related to work unit. 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Work units were the sole grouping to demonstrate risk difference for isolated high-risk cases. Work units with greater exposure to heat and higher requirement for protective clothing, such as Underground (+0.19, p < 0.05), Overhead - Predominantly Live Line (+0.18, p < 0.01), and Overhead - Distribution and Transmission (+0.11, p < 0.05) were at greater risk of reporting heat stress symptoms. This study demonstrates that the pattern of self-reported chronic low-grade heat strain cases differs to isolated high-grade cases within the electrical utility industry. Age, geographical location, and work unit independently alter the risk of chronic low-grade heat strain, while the risk of isolated high-grade heat strain was only related to work unit. These outcomes support implementation of a flexible and targeted approach to heat stress management in large and diverse organizations in which employees are routinely exposed to heat.]]></abstract><cop>England</cop><pub>Taylor &amp; Francis LLC</pub><pmid>33196398</pmid><doi>10.1080/15459624.2020.1834112</doi><tpages>8</tpages><oa>free_for_read</oa></addata></record>
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source Taylor and Francis Science and Technology Collection
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
title Influence of age, geographical region, and work unit on heat strain symptoms: a cross-sectional survey of electrical utility workers
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