I5: Heat Stress Interventions Impacting Outdoor Workers' Well-Being

Kansas City Convention Center 

Room: 2502 A 

CM Credit Hours: 1 

Outdoor workers are prone to heat stress due to prolonged exposure to extreme heat leading to heat-related illnesses and injuries. Several agencies (e.g., CAL/OSHA, OSHA, NIOSH, AIHA, ACGIH, ISO), have developed guidelines to prevent heat stress. Early interventions (e.g., Water.Rest.Shade) have been designed to mitigate heat stress and heat-related conditions. We aimed to identify the current best practices of heat stress interventions and their impact on worker well-being and quality of life. A systematic literature search was conducted for studies between 2012-2023. Articles were analyzed and data abstraction was standardized. Thirty-six studies were reviewed and six interventions for outdoor workers were identified. Significant heterogeneity was observed across methodological approaches, the populations, and study durations. The effectiveness of heat stress interventions varies, but no single approach is sufficient alone to mitigate heat stress. The reviewed studies emphasized the importance of comprehensive strategies incorporating multiple interventions, including hydration practices, rest breaks, cooling measures, training, and environmental monitoring to mitigate heat stress.

Upon completion, the participant will be able to:

• Outline the effectiveness of global heat stress interventions.
• Demonstrate a comprehensive approach to mitigate heat stress. 

Intermediate

Polling

Q&A

Academia/Education

Agriculture, Forestry, & Fishing

Construction

Mining

Also part of the Virtual Program

Available as part of AIHA Connect OnDemand

Construction

Total Worker Health®