Perceptions of Workplace Heat Exposure and Controls among Occupational Hygienists and Relevant Specialists in Australia.
With warmer weather projections, workplace heat exposure is presenting a growing challenge to workers' health and safety. Occupational hygienists are the specialist group conducting measurements and providing advice on heat stress management to industry. In order to provide insights into hygienists perceptions on workplace heat exposure, current and future preparedness for extreme heat, and barriers to possible heat adaptation strategies, a self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted during a national conference of the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists. Nearly 90% of the 180 respondents were at least moderately concerned about extreme heat and 19% were dissatisfied with current heat stress prevention measures. Barriers recognized by the participants were lack of awareness (68%), insufficient training (56%), unsatisfactory management commitment (52%), and low compliance with prevention policies (40%). The findings suggest a need to refine occupational heat management and prevention strategies.
School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Department of Public Health Preparedness and Response, Fujian Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China.
Jianjun
J
Xiang
School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Alana
A
Hansen
School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Dino
D
Pisaniello
School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Peng
P
Bi
D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018882:Heat Stress Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009786:Occupational Health Services; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017132:Workplace / Q000706:statistics & numerical data