Occupational Health in the Warming World: Novel Insights to Risk Assessment and Management

Dear Colleagues,

Global warming increases health risks in various occupations. The limits of physiological tolerance have already been reached in subtropical coastal climates, where high ambient temperature and humidity are combined or where occupational heat strain cannot be avoided through employing appropriate protective measures. Global warming threatens to aggravate working conditions and even prevent occupational activities in certain regions. High occupational heat strain decreases workers’ performance, lowers work productivity, and causes adverse health effects, such as heat-related illnesses, occupational injuries, and induction and exacerbation of chronic diseases. Hence, occupational heat stress increases the societal economic burden considerably. This Special Issue describes the most recent evidence of heat-related health effects in an occupational context with special emphasis on vulnerable populations. It also presents novel aspects on the assessment of heat strain and related health risks at the individual and population level. Occupational health risk management, on the other hand, includes developing prediction and early-warning systems, as well as adaptation measures to reduce heat exposure through organizational (e.g., work–rest cycles, scheduling), technical (e.g., air conditioning, shades), and individual (such as clothing, personal cooling, hydration, heat adaptation) protective measures. Proper guidelines and improved awareness of OHS experts, as well as employees, forms an essential part of managing heat-related health risks.

Prof. Dr. Tiina Ikäheimo
Prof. Dr. Jouni Jaakkola
Guest Editors

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• heat
• climate change
• occupational
• performance
• health
• productivity
• assessment
• prevention
• protection