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Heat stress can result in heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke, hyperthermia, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heat rashes, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). [ 2 ] [ 3 ] Although heat exhaustion is less severe, heat stroke is a medical emergency and requires emergency treatment , which if not provided, can lead to death .
OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention campaign educates employers and workers on heat hazards. It provides resources to keep workers safe such as making sure employers provide water, rest and shade.
The United States Department of Labor OSHA claims that every type of job that raises workers deep core temperature (listed as higher than 100.4 degrees F (38°C)) raises the risk of heat stress, and provides a list of guidelines which might be used to manage work in these environments. [4]
Between 1999 and 2003, the US had a total of 3442 deaths from heat illness. Those who work outdoors are at particular risk for heat illness, though those who work in poorly-cooled spaces indoors are also at risk. Between 1992 and 2006, 423 workers died from heat illness in the US. [6] Exposure to environmental heat led to 37 work-related deaths.
Occupational epidemiology is a subdiscipline of epidemiology that focuses on investigations of workers and the workplace. [1] [2] Occupational epidemiologic studies examine health outcomes among workers, and their potential association with conditions in the workplace including noise, chemicals, heat, or radiation, or work organization such as schedules.
As physical work is performed, the body's natural thermoregulation (i.e. sweating) becomes ineffective. This is compounded by increased work rates, high ambient temperature and humidity levels, and direct exposure to the sun. The net effect is that desired protection from some environmental threats inadvertently increases the threat of heat stress.
In a second study, there was a 70% reduction in malpractice claims in 22 hospitals that implemented stress prevention activities. In contrast, there was no reduction in claims in a matched group of 22 hospitals that did not implement stress prevention activities. [86] There is evidence that remote work could reduce job stress. [87]
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