Working over 5,000 m: medical check-up.
Any work activity performed at elevations over 3,000 m above sea level is considered as work at high altitude. The changing environmental conditions result in an adaptation of the human organism, mainly due to a reduced partial pressure of oxygen in the air and a proportional decrease in barometric pressure. We carried out a systematic review of the scientific literature in this field so as to develop a health and risk protocol as well as a procedure of ascent for researchers and staff expected to work in a science research lab at an altitude of 5,100 m asl. We wish to highlight the crucial role that occupational medicine plays in the formulation of a medical protocol used to assess the suitability of staff to work in environments posing high risks to human health, as in this case, and of a protocol of ascent minimizing the risk associated with changes in altitude.
Research Unit of Occupational Medicine Sapienza, University of Rome, Italy.
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De Sio
Catedra Libre Salude y Securidad en el Trabajo Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Nieto
Research Unit of Occupational Medicine Sapienza, University of Rome, Italy.
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Gogia
Course in Techniques of Prevention in the Workplace, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
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Sanità
Catedra Libre Salude y Securidad en el Trabajo Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Balladore
Research Unit of Occupational Medicine Sapienza, University of Rome, Italy.
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Mandolesi
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000531:Altitude; D000532:Altitude Sickness / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012107:Research Design; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation
D015415:Biomarkers; D010100:Oxygen
High altitude; Occupational medicine; Procedure of ascent; Safety risks; Work at high altitude