Graduation Year

2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

M.S.P.H.

Degree Name

MS in Public Health (M.S.P.H.)

Degree Granting Department

Public Health

Major Professor

Thomas E. Bernard, Ph.D.

Committee Member

René Salazar, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Luis Pieretti, Ph.D.

Keywords

wet bulb globe temperature, heat index, carryover effect, OSHA recordable

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to explore the relationship between incidence of recordable exertional heat illness (EHI) and daily high wet bulb globe temperature (WBGTmax) or daily high Heat Index (HImax). Additionally, the effect of the previous day’s exposure to heat stress was investigated. Illness and injury records were collected during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response. All OSHA recordable EHI cases were extracted for study. The highest estimated WBGT and HI on the day of incident were compared to the prior day. The overall incidence of recordable EHIs was 0.74 cases/100 FTE and the incidence for exposures ≥ 20 °C WBGTmax was 0.80 cases/100 FTE and 0.87 for exposures ≥ 80 °F HImax. This was much higher than observed in outdoor construction work during the third quarter (summer) in Washington State at 0.16 cases/100 FTE and urban letter carriers in the summer at 0.18 cases/100 FTE. A Poisson regression was used to model the data. The rate ratios were 1.31/°C for WBGTmax and 1.08/°F for HImax. When there was an increase of 2 °C in WBGTmax from the previous day, the predicted incidence was 2.4 times higher than changes < 2 °C. For an increase of at least 10 °F in HImax, the incidence was 2.9 times higher than changes < 10 °F. In conclusion, EHI incidence was related to an increase in WBGTmax or HImax, and if there was an increase in heat stress from the previous day that the incidence was higher. The implication for heat stress management is to increase vigilance as heat stress increases and when there is an increase in heat stress from the previous day.

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