This pilot, seeks to characterize the burden of heat-related illness in Washington State agriculture, potential risk factors for heat-related illness, and methods for quantifying the physiological effects of heat exposures on agricultural workers.
Heat exposure has been identified as an important cause of non-fatal illness and death in agricultural workers. From 2003 to 2008, the U.S. Agriculture, Fishing, and Forestry sector experienced the highest mean heat fatality rate, with the majority of these fatalities occurring in relatively young workers in the crop production and support subsectors. Few studies have focused on heat-related Illness (HRI) in hired crop workers, who are largely seasonal, foreign-born, and Spanish-speaking. Likewise, there is limited research on how cultural beliefs and practices related to hydration and HRI may affect the prevention and treatment of HRI in these workers. This study characterizes the burden of HRI in Washington State agriculture, potential risk factors for HRI, and methods for quantifying the physiological effects of heat exposure in agricultural workers.
Outcomes
This two-year pilot found that 1) farmworkers subscribe to varying degrees to the belief that cooling treatments should be avoided after heat exposure; 2) the desire to lose weight may be reflected in behaviors that promote increased sweating; 3) highly caffeinated energy drinks are preferred to increase work efficiency and maintain alertness; and 4) the location of drinking water at work (e.g., next to restrooms) and whether water is clean are important considerations for worker consumption of drinking water. Risk factors found to significantly contribute to HRI for the participants of a field survey of 97 workers included: younger age (and less work experience), piece rate pay, and longer distances to the toilet.
This study generated baseline data and set the stage for the future study of the association between potential HRI risk factors and heat effects, as well as the development of interventions to reduce HRI. In the new cycle from 2016-2021, Dr. Spector began a new project entitled, A Multi-level Approach to Heat-Related Illness Prevention in Agricultural Workers.
Specific Aims
Aim 1. Investigate cultural beliefs and practices related to hydration and HRI in adult outdoor crop workers.
Aim 2. Identify potential HRI risk factors in adult outdoor crop workers.
Aim 3. Measure heat exposure and physiological responses (heat strain) in the fields in a sample of adult outdoor crop workers.
Products
- Software: Spector J & Lieblich M. (2016) R package to estimate wet bulb globe temperature from datasets of standard meteorological measurements using models developed by Liljegren et al. Version 1.0. Available at: https://github.com/mdljts/wbgt
- Training: Preventing Heat-related Illness (HRI). Agricultural Medicine in the Northwest: Special Topics Lecture Series. CDC-accredited CME is available to those who complete this course. To view the course flyer, click here. To proceed to complimentary registration, click here.
- Trade article: Avoiding heat-related illness - Study finds workers paid piece rate tend to work harder and take fewer breaks, increasing the risk of heat-related illness symptoms. Good Fruit Grower Dec 28, 2015.
- Press Release: Hot Weather can Increase Risk of Agricultural Worker Injuries
Resources
Spector JT, Krenz J, Calkins M, Ryan D, Carmona J, Pan M, Zemke A, Sampson PD. Associations between Heat Exposure, Vigilance, and Balance Performance in Summer Tree Fruit Harvesters. Applied Ergonomics. 2018 Feb;67:1-8.
Quiller G, Krenz J, Ebi K, Hess JJ, Fenske RA, Sampson PD, Pan M, Spector JT. Heat Exposure and Productivity in Orchards: Implications for Climate Change Research. Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health. 2017 Nov 2;72(6):313-316.
Spector JT, Bonauto DK, Sheppard L, Busch-Isaksen T, Calkins M, Adams D, Lieblich M, Fenske RA. A Case-Crossover Study of Heat Exposure and Injury Risk in Outdoor Agricultural Workers. PLoS One. 2016 Oct 7;11(10):e0164498.
Spector JT, Krenz J, Blank KN. Risk Factors for Heat-Related Illness in Washington Crop Workers. J Agromedicine. 2015;20(3):349-59. doi: 10.1080/1059924X.2015.1047107.
Spector JT, Sheffield PE. Re-evaluating occupational heat stress in a changing climate. Ann Occup Hyg. 2014 Oct;58(8):936-42.
Spector JT, Krenz J, Rauser E, Bonauto DK. Heat-related illness in Washington State agriculture and forestry sectors. Am J Ind Med. 2014 Aug;57(8):881-95.
Lam M, Krenz J, Palmández P, Negrete M, Perla M, Murphy-Robinson H, Spector JT. Identification of barriers to the prevention and treatment of heat-related illness in Latino farmworkers using activity-oriented, participatory rural appraisal focus group methods. BMC Public Health. 2013 Oct 24;13:1004.
Partners and Advisories
- Washington State Department of Labor & Industries’ SHARP Program
Principal Investigator: June Spector, MD, MPH, Associate Professor, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington
NIOSH Funding Period 2011-2013
Projects
A Multi-Level Approach to Heat-Related Illness Prevention in Agricultural Workers
Heat Exposure, Injury Risk, and Productivity in Agricultural Workers