Tetzlaff Emily J, Kirby Nathalie V, Ioannou Leonidas G, Meade Robert D, O'Connor Fergus K, Flouris Andreas, Kenny Glen P
Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, School of Human Kinetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Department of Automatics, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
J Occup Environ Hyg. 2025 May;22(5):400-424. doi: 10.1080/15459624.2025.2449947. Epub 2025 Jan 28.
With mines extending deeper and rising surface temperatures, workers are exposed to hotter environments. This study aimed to characterize heat stress and strain in the Canadian mining industry and evaluate the utility of the Heat Strain Score Index (HSSI), combined with additional self-reported adverse health outcomes. An exploratory web-based survey was conducted among workers ( = 119) in the Canadian mining industry. The survey included 74 questions on workers' risk perception, strategies for heat stress management, and the HSSI-a validated tool to classify workplace heat stress based on various workplace factors and indicators of heat strain. Most workers reported that heat stress is an occupational hazard associated with their duties and tasks (89%). Based on the HSSI, 22% of respondents were classified as high risk, 42% at moderate risk, and 36% at low risk for heat stress and heat strain. Those with higher HSSI scores self-reported more heat-related adverse signs and symptoms with a higher prevalence of self-reported heat-related illness ( < 0.01). Despite workers reporting various self-initiated practices (e.g., drinking water) and management-enforced heat mitigation practices (e.g., rest breaks), many workers reported still having experienced signs or symptoms of heat stress (86%) and heat-related illnesses (37%). The study found elevated heat stress and strain levels among a sample of workers in the Canadian mining industry despite workers employing various heat-mitigating strategies. Heat stress management programs considering mining-specific factors and challenges are needed to safeguard worker health and safety.
随着矿井开采深度的增加和地表温度的上升，工人面临着更炎热的工作环境。本研究旨在描述加拿大采矿业的热应激和热应变特征，并评估热应变评分指数（HSSI）结合其他自我报告的不良健康结果的效用。对加拿大采矿业的工人（n = 119）进行了一项基于网络的探索性调查。该调查包括74个关于工人风险认知、热应激管理策略以及HSSI的问题，HSSI是一种经过验证的工具，可根据各种工作场所因素和热应变指标对工作场所热应激进行分类。大多数工人报告称，热应激是与其职责和任务相关的职业危害（89%）。根据HSSI，22%的受访者被归类为高风险，42%为中度风险，36%为低风险的热应激和热应变。HSSI得分较高的人自我报告了更多与热相关的不良体征和症状，自我报告的与热相关疾病的患病率更高（P < 0.01）。尽管工人报告了各种自我采取的措施（如饮水）和管理层强制实施的热缓解措施（如休息），但许多工人报告仍经历过热应激的体征或症状（86%）和与热相关的疾病（37%）。研究发现，尽管工人采取了各种热缓解策略，但加拿大采矿业的一部分工人中热应激和热应变水平仍有所升高。需要制定考虑到采矿特定因素和挑战的热应激管理计划，以保障工人的健康和安全。
