Specht Jonathan W, Garcia Serena, Wegman David H, Glaser Jason, Schlader Zachary J, Amorim Fabiano T
Department of Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences, University of New Mexico, Cornell Dr, Albuquerque, NM 87131, United States.
La Isla Network, California St NW, Washington, DC 20005, United States.
Ann Work Expo Health. 2025 Feb 25;69(2):225-229. doi: 10.1093/annweh/wxae097.
In the summer season, road construction workers perform physically demanding tasks outdoors, placing them at greater risk for exertional heat illness conditions. Assessing core temperature (Tcore) is critical as it serves as a key indicator of heat strain and helps to estimate the risk of heat-related illness. Despite the increased risk of hyperthermia, previous research has not assessed Tcore in road construction workers in the United States during summer work.
To report heat strain and environmental heat stress in a pilot study of road construction workers during work in the summer.
Seven male road construction workers in New Mexico were observed performing physically demanding work during a summer work shift. Environmental heat stress (heat index [HI], dry/wet bulb temperature, and relative humidity), Tcore, and skin temperature (Tskin) were measured continuously at a single job site throughout the workday. Hydration was assessed pre- and post-shift via measurements of urine specific gravity (USG) and changes in body weight.
The peak HI recorded throughout the workday was 34.1 °C, corresponding to a "warning" heat risk level according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Heat Safety Tool App. Two of seven (29%) workers reached a peak Tcore of greater than 38.0 °C, and 4 (57%) began the work shift dehydrated, indicated by a USG >1.020.
Findings from this pilot study suggest that road construction workers may begin their shifts dehydrated and some experience moderate hyperthermia while performing physically demanding work in hot environmental conditions.
在夏季，道路建设工人在户外从事体力要求较高的工作，这使他们面临更高的劳力性热疾病风险。评估核心体温（Tcore）至关重要，因为它是热应激的关键指标，有助于估计与热相关疾病的风险。尽管中暑风险增加，但此前的研究尚未对美国道路建设工人夏季工作期间的核心体温进行评估。
在一项针对道路建设工人夏季工作的试点研究中报告热应激和环境热应激情况。
观察了新墨西哥州的7名男性道路建设工人在夏季一个工作日期间从事体力要求较高的工作。在整个工作日，在单个工作地点连续测量环境热应激（热指数[HI]、干湿球温度和相对湿度）、核心体温（Tcore）和皮肤温度（Tskin）。通过测量尿比重（USG）和体重变化，在班前和班后评估水合状态。
根据美国职业安全与健康管理局热安全工具应用程序，整个工作日记录的最高热指数为34.1°C，对应“警告”级热风险水平。7名工人中有2名（29%）的核心体温峰值超过38.0°C，4名（57%）工人在开始工作时处于脱水状态，尿比重>1.020表明了这一点。
这项试点研究的结果表明，道路建设工人在开始轮班时可能处于脱水状态，并且一些人在炎热环境条件下从事体力要求较高的工作时会经历中度体温过高。
