STUDY 1 -
BACKGROUND: Occupational exposure to heat can result in illness, injury, and death among workers, particularly those in outdoor environments such as emergency oil spill cleanup responders. PURPOSE: This study assessed heat-related knowledge, perceptions, and barriers among oil spill cleanup responders. METHODS: A total of 65 oil spill cleanup responders completed an online survey which examined heat stress during cleanup activities. RESULTS: Of the respondents, most had 25 or more years’ experience, worked for companies with 19 or fewer employees, were not classified as safety and health professionals, had a Bachelor’s degree or higher, and worked in the northern/central regions of the U.S. While most were knowledgeable about heat stress, the items in which respondents were least knowledgeable were: identifying the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke, the appropriate use of salt tablets, the effects of air conditioning on acclimatization, and previous heat-related illness (HRI) as a risk factor. For heat stress knowledge, there was a significant difference between non-safety and health professionals (M = 5.70, SD = 1.081) and safety and health professionals (M = 6.62, SD = 1.024; t = -3.257, p = .002). Respondents reported that they tended to perceive that heat stress can be severe and that HRI’s may affect workers. Regarding self-efficacy, most felt confident in contacting emergency medical services, recognizing symptoms, and knowing what to do if a coworker became ill. Discussion: The difference in heat stress knowledge between those with professional safety and health experience and those without experience is confirmatory. Oil spill cleanup responders are at high risk for HRI, injury, and death and those responsible for their training need to be knowledgeable about occupational heat stress. More research is needed to determine further information about knowledge, perceptions, self-efficacy, and barriers at the worker level.
STUDY 2 -
BACKGROUND: Heat-related illness, injury, and death among emergency oil spill cleanup responders can be prevented through training and educational materials. PURPOSE: This study assessed heat-related training and educational materials currently used and desired by oil spill cleanup responders. METHODS: A needs assessment was completed by 65 oil spill cleanup responders regarding their heat-related experiences and training needs. RESULTS: Oil spill cleanup responders reported participating on average in 37.52 cleanup activities per year. Most reported experiencing additional HRI risk factors, such as, high temperatures, humidity, and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), respirators, and personal flotation devices. Many reported experiencing symptoms of HRI (profuse sweating, headache, weakness, decreased urine output, high body temperatures), and 11% reported experiencing heat exhaustion. While multiple prevention controls were reported, only 26.2% reported using an acclimatization plan. The most common training and education received included just-in-time training and printed materials. The most desirable future training and education products were smartphone or tablet applications, printed materials, and online training. DISCUSSION: Findings from this study may be beneficial to safety and health professionals and health educators, particularly those interested in developing heat stress training and materials for oil spill cleanup responders.