Potential Impacts of Different Occupational Outdoor Heat Exposure Thresholds among Washington State Crop and Construction Workers and Implications for Other Jurisdictions

John C Flunker; Christopher Zuidema; Jihoon Jung; Edward Kasner; Martin Cohen; Edmund Seto; Elena Austin; June T Spector

doi:10.3390/ijerph191811583

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Potential Impacts of Different Occupational Outdoor Heat Exposure Thresholds among Washington State Crop and Construction Workers and Implications for Other Jurisdictions

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Potential Impacts of Different Occupational Outdoor Heat Exposure Thresholds among Washington State Crop and Construction Workers and Implications for Other Jurisdictions

John C Flunker, Christopher Zuidema, Jihoon Jung, Edward Kasner, Martin Cohen, Edmund Seto, Elena Austin and June T Spector

International journal of environmental research and public health, Vol.19(18), p.11583

09/14/2022

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811583

PMCID: PMC9517246

PMID: 36141863

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Abstract

Occupational heat exposure is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality among outdoor workers. We sought to descriptively evaluate spatiotemporal variability in heat threshold exceedances and describe potential impacts of these exposures for crop and construction workers. We also present general considerations for approaching heat policy-relevant analyses. We analyzed county-level 2011-2020 monthly employment (Bureau of Labor Statistics Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages) and environmental exposure (Parameter-elevation Relationships on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM)) data for Washington State (WA), USA, crop (North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 111 and 1151) and construction (NAICS 23) sectors. Days exceeding maximum daily temperature thresholds, averaged per county, were linked with employment estimates to generate employment days of exceedances. We found spatiotemporal variability in WA temperature threshold exceedances and crop and construction employment. Maximum temperature exceedances peaked in July and August and were most numerous in Central WA counties. Counties with high employment and/or high numbers of threshold exceedance days, led by Yakima and King Counties, experienced the greatest total employment days of exceedances. Crop employment contributed to the largest proportion of total state-wide employment days of exceedances with Central WA counties experiencing the greatest potential workforce burden of exposure. Considerations from this analysis can help inform decision-making regarding thresholds, timing of provisions for heat rules, and tailoring of best practices in different industries and areas.

Construction Industry

Employment

Hot Temperature

Humans

Occupational Exposure

Washington

Details

Title: Subtitle: Potential Impacts of Different Occupational Outdoor Heat Exposure Thresholds among Washington State Crop and Construction Workers and Implications for Other Jurisdictions
Creators: John C Flunker - University of Washington
Christopher Zuidema - University of Washington
Jihoon Jung - University of Washington
Edward Kasner - University of Washington
Martin Cohen - University of Washington
Edmund Seto - University of Washington
Elena Austin - University of Washington
June T Spector - University of Washington
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: International journal of environmental research and public health, Vol.19(18), p.11583
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811583
PMID: 36141863
PMCID: PMC9517246
NLM abbreviation: Int J Environ Res Public Health
ISSN: 1661-7827
eISSN: 1660-4601
Grant note: T42 OH008433 / NIOSH CDC HHS T32 ES015459 / NIEHS NIH HHS P30 ES007033 / NIEHS NIH HHS T32ES015459 / NIEHS NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 09/14/2022
Academic Unit: Epidemiology
Record Identifier: 9984738102602771

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