How Effective are Heat Stress Interventions at Impacting Outdoor Workers’ Well-Being and Quality of Life?: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Muinat Abolore Idris*, Ogochukwu Juliet Ezeigwe, Valerie M Valenzuela, Christine Markham, Kristina D Mena and William B Perkison

Background: Outdoor workers are prone to heat stress due to prolonged exposure to extreme heat, especially during the summer, leading to heat-related illnesses and injuries, including acute kidney injury. Agencies, including California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (CAL/OSHA), The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) have developed guidelines to assess and prevent heat stress. Early interventions, including Water Rest Shade (WRS) have been designed to mitigate heat stress and heat-related conditions.

Objective: To identify current best practices of heat stress interventions among outdoor workers and their impact on well-being and quality of life.

Methods: A literature search was conducted across four databases for studies between 2012-2023. Data abstraction was standardized and analysed descriptively.

Results: 36 studies were reviewed, identifying six designed interventions for outdoor workers. Significant heterogeneity was observed across methodological approaches, the populations, and study durations. The reviewed studies provided valuable insights into the effectiveness of various interventions, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive strategies incorporating multiple interventions, including hydration practices, rest breaks, cooling measures, training, and environmental monitoring to mitigate heat stress. The WRS intervention was mostly effective in mitigating heat stress, heat-related injuries and illnesses, and fatalities.

Conclusion: The effectiveness of heat stress interventions varies, but no single approach is sufficient alone to mitigate heat stress.