Targeting workload to ameliorate risk of heat stress in industrial sugarcane workers

Rebekah A I Lucas*, Bethany D Skinner, Esteban Arias-Monge, Kristina Jakobsson, Catharina Wesseling, Ilana Weiss, Scarlette Poveda, Fatima I Cerda-Granados, Jason Glaser, Erik Hansson, David H Wegman

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to quantify the physiological workload of manual laborers in industrial sugarcane and assess the effect of receiving a rest, shade, and hydration intervention to reduce heat stress exposure risk.

METHODS: In an observational study, physiological workload was evaluated for burned cane cutters (BCC), seed cutters (SC) and drip irrigation repair workers (DIRW) using heart rate (HR) recorded continuously (Polar®) across a work shift. Workers' percentage of maximal HR (%HRmax), time spent in different HR zones, and estimated core temperature (ECTemp) were calculated. The effect of increasing rest across two harvests was evaluated for BCC and SC.

RESULTS: A total of 162 workers participated in this study [52 BCC (all male), 71 SC (13 female) and 39 DIRW (16 female)]. Average %HRmax across a work shift was similar between BCC and SC (BCC: 58%, SC: 59%), but lower in DIRW (51%). BCC and SC spent similar proportions of work shifts at hard/very hard intensities (BCC: 13%, SC: 15%), versus DIRW who worked mostly at light (46%) or light-moderate (39%) intensities. SC maximum ECTemp reached 38.2°C, BCC 38.1°C; while DIRW only reached 37.7°C. Females performed at a higher %HRmax than males across work shifts (SC 64% versus 58%; DIRW 55% versus 49%). An additional rest period was associated with a lower average %HRmax across a work shift in BCC.

CONCLUSION: In this setting, BCC and SC both undertake very physiologically demanding work. Females maintained a higher workload than male co-workers. Regulated rest periods each hour, with water and shade access, appears to reduce physiological workload/strain.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)43-52
Number of pages10
JournalScandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health
Volume49
Issue number1
Early online date9 Oct 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2023

Keywords

  • Humans
  • Male
  • Female
  • Saccharum
  • Workload
  • Heat-Shock Response
  • Water
  • Heat Stress Disorders/prevention & control
  • Hot Temperature

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