CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training, Silver Spring, Maryland.
School of Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
Am J Ind Med. 2019 Dec;62(12):1047-1057. doi: 10.1002/ajim.23024. Epub 2019 Jul 22.
Heat is a severe hazard for construction workers and may be worsening with global warming. This study sought to explore heat-related deaths among U.S. construction workers and a possible association with climate change.
Heat-related deaths in the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries from 1992 to 2016 were analyzed. Denominators estimated from the Current Population Survey were matched with demographic and occupational categories in rate calculations. Statistical tests were used to examine heat-related deaths in relation to time, geographic region, and temperature.
Construction workers, comprising 6% of the total workforce, accounted for 36% (n = 285) of all occupational heat-related deaths from 1992 to 2016 in the U.S. Mean temperatures from June to August increased gradually over the study period. Increasing summer temperatures from 1997 to 2016 were associated with higher heat-related death rates (r = 0.649; 95% confidence interval: 0.290, 0.848). Compared to all construction workers (risk index = 1), statistically significant elevated risk of heat-related death was found among Hispanics (1.21), in particular workers born in Mexico (1.91). Occupations with a high risk index included cement masons (10.80), roofers (6.93), helpers (6.87), brick masons (3.33), construction laborers (1.93) and heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics (1.60).
U.S. construction workers are at a high risk of heat-related death, and this risk has increased with climate change over time. Effective workplace interventions, enhanced surveillance, and improved regulations and enforcement should accompany broader efforts to combat global warming. The construction industry can help reduce global warming through increased implementation of green building principles.
热是建筑工人面临的严重危害，随着全球变暖，这种危害可能会加剧。本研究旨在探讨美国建筑工人因热相关死亡的情况以及与气候变化的可能关联。
分析了 1992 年至 2016 年《职业性致命伤害普查》中的热相关死亡事件。通过当前人口调查估算的分母与死亡率计算中的人口统计学和职业类别相匹配。使用统计检验来检查与时间、地理区域和温度有关的热相关死亡事件。
建筑工人占总劳动力的 6%，却占 1992 年至 2016 年美国所有职业性热相关死亡人数的 36%（n=285）。研究期间，6 月至 8 月的平均温度逐渐升高。1997 年至 2016 年夏季温度升高与热相关死亡率升高相关（r=0.649；95%置信区间：0.290，0.848）。与所有建筑工人（风险指数=1）相比，西班牙裔（1.21），特别是墨西哥出生的工人（1.91）的热相关死亡风险显著升高。风险指数较高的职业包括水泥瓦工（10.80）、屋顶工人（6.93）、助手（6.87）、砖匠（3.33）、建筑工人（1.93）和供暖、空调和制冷机械师（1.60）。
美国建筑工人面临很高的热相关死亡风险，随着时间的推移，这种风险因气候变化而增加。有效的工作场所干预措施、加强监测以及改进法规和执法应与更广泛的应对全球变暖的努力相配合。建筑行业可以通过增加绿色建筑原则的实施来帮助减少全球变暖。
