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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

Author

Listed:
  • John C. Flunker

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Hans Rosling Center for Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA)

  • Christopher Zuidema

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Hans Rosling Center for Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA)

  • Jihoon Jung

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Hans Rosling Center for Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA)

  • Edward Kasner

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Hans Rosling Center for Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA)

  • Martin Cohen

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Hans Rosling Center for Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA)

  • Edmund Seto

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Hans Rosling Center for Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA)

  • Elena Austin

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Hans Rosling Center for Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA)

  • June T. Spector

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Hans Rosling Center for Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
    Safety & Health Assessment and Research for Prevention (SHARP) Program, Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, Olympia, WA 98504, USA)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • John C. Flunker & Christopher Zuidema & Jihoon Jung & Edward Kasner & Martin Cohen & Edmund Seto & Elena Austin & June T. Spector, 2022. "Potential Impacts of Different Occupational Outdoor Heat Exposure Thresholds among Washington State Crop and Construction Workers and Implications for Other Jurisdictions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-24, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:18:p:11583-:d:915045
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. June T Spector & David K Bonauto & Lianne Sheppard & Tania Busch-Isaksen & Miriam Calkins & Darrin Adams & Max Lieblich & Richard A Fenske, 2016. "A Case-Crossover Study of Heat Exposure and Injury Risk in Outdoor Agricultural Workers," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(10), pages 1-16, October.
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