Systematiska kunskapsöversikter; 11. Health Impacts of Workplace Heat on Persons with Existing Ill Health

Abstract

The systematic knowledge reviews aim at describing the importance of the working environment for the emergence or worsening of disease or symptoms in a broader perspective. Application of these results may be done within relevant authorities, workplaces and insurance companies. The knowledge reviews are carried out by experts in each area. Their assessment is then reviewed by other experts in the field. This is the second systematic knowledge review about the significance of exposure to heat. This overview is about how sick individuals manage to work in hot environments. People with specific existing ill health problems are particularly vulnerable to high heat exposures and during physical work the additional health risks are further increased. If something like an illness prevents heat loss then there will be disruption to the thermo-regulatory processes and heat strain and heat illness can occur. tThis report highlights the heat exchange between the human body and the environment, the role of clothing and metabolic rate (or work intensity), the impacts on heat stress and strain, and the management of heat stress problems. Heat related illness and sick leave occurs in Sweden in spite of its' cool climate, but most reports come from other countries and in Europe the focus is on heat wave periods.