Effects of Heat Stress on Working Populations when facing Climate Change

It is accepted that the earth’s climate is changing in an accelerating pace, with already documented implications for human health and the environment. This literature review provides an overview of existing research findings about the effects of heat stress on the working population in relation to climate change. In the light of climate change adaptation, the purpose of the literature review was to explore recent and previous research into the impacts of heat stress on humans in an occupational setting. Heat stress in the workplace has been researched extensively in the past however, in the contemporary context of climate change, information is lacking on its extent and implications. The main factors found to exacerbate heat stress in the current and future workplace are the urban ‘heat island effect’, physical work, individual differences, and the developing country context where technological fixes are often not applicable. There is also a lack of information on the effects on vulnerable groups such as elderly people and pregnant women. As increasing temperatures reduce work productivity, world economic productivity could be condensed, affecting developing countries in the tropical climate zone disproportionately. Future research is needed taking an interdisciplinary approach, including social, economic, environmental and technical aspects

Insulation of traditional Indian clothing: estimation of climate change impact on productivity from PHS (predicted heat strain) model

Major databases on western clothing and their thermal properties are available, but information on non-western clothing is lacking. A recent ASHRAE project 1504 TRP, Extension of the Clothing Insulation Database for Standard 55 and ISO 7730 dealt with the issue. Simultaneously, a co-operation study at Indian workplaces allowed us to acquire some sets of the traditional clothes used at construction sites in Chennai area. The work was related to mapping of present work conditions in order to allow predictions and measures to be taken if the mean temperature of the work environment would rise. We selected ISO 7933 on predicted heat strain (PHS) as a tool to estimate productivity loss in physical work. PHS criteria are related to reaching safe body core temperature limit of 38 °C or excess water loss. 3 sets of clothing were investigated: 2 female sets of traditional clothes (churidar and saree) modified as used at construction site (added shirt and towel to protect traditional clothes and hair), and a male set commonly used at the construction sites. The clothing insulation and evaporative resistance were measured on thermal manikins. The climatic conditions were based on weather statistics, and metabolic heat production was based on field observations at work places and the ISO 8996:2004 tables (Ergonomics of the thermal environment — Determination of metabolic rate). For the future scenarios all basic parameters were left the same except the air temperature was increased by 2 °C. Adding the protective layer on female clothing did increase clothing insulation by 25-31 % and evaporative resistance by 10-18 % respectively. This affected the performance showing lower capacity to maintain work pace already under present climatic conditions. Further increase in mean air temperature may decrease the productivity by 30-80 % depending on the parameter that is observed (limited exposure time or lower work load), and on the earlier capacity to carry out the tasks. The present evaluation may have several limitations related to the PHS model's boundaries, and validation of the presented method application is needed

Human responses in heat – comparison of the Predicted Heat Strain and the Fiala multi-node model for a case of intermittent work

Two mathematical models of human thermal regulation include the rational Predicted Heat Strain (PHS) and the thermophysiological model by Fiala. The approaches of the models are different, however, they both aim at providing predictions of the thermophysiological responses to thermal environments of an average person. The aim of this study was to compare and analyze predictions of the two models against experimental data. The analysis also includes a gender comparison. The experimental data comprised of ten participants (5 males, 5 females, average anthropometric values were used as input) conducting an intermittent protocol of rotating tasks (cycling, stacking, stepping and arm crank) of moderate metabolic activities (134-291 W/m2) with breaks in-between in a controlled environmental condition (34°C, 60% RH). The validation consisted of the predictions’ comparison against experimental data from 2.5 hours of data of rectal temperature and mean skin temperature based on contact thermometry from four body locations. The PHS model over-predicted rectal temperatures during the first activity for males and the cooling effectiveness of sweat in the recovery periods, for both males and females. As a result, the PHS simulation underestimated the thermal strain in this context. The Fiala model accurately predicted the rectal temperature throughout the exposure. The fluctuation of the experimental mean skin temperature was not reflected in any of the models. However, the PHS simulation model showed better agreement than the Fiala model. As both models predicted responses more accurately for males than females, we suggest that in future development of the models it is important to take this result into account. The paper further discusses possible sources of the observed discrepancies and concludes with some suggestions for modifications

The heat is on : Evaluation of workplace heat stress under a changing climate

Background: There are several scientific indications that increasing heat due to climate change is going to become the next big societal and scientific challenge. Climate change is recognized as a significant public health threat. However, there is a lack of research on its impacts on occupational safety and health. Aims and Objectives: The general aim of the research presented in this thesis was to identify impacts, evaluate assessment tools and explore solutions to the effects of increasing heat at different workplaces. The research had four specific objectives: 1) To identify gaps in the existing knowledge of occupational heat stress and its links with a changing climate (Papers I, II, V). 2) To carry out a field study in workplaces situated in already hot areas of the world, namely in Chennai, India, in order to assess the current and future impacts of increasing local heat due to climate change (Papers II, V). 3) To evaluate the current standard assessment tools for hot environments (Papers II, III). 4) To investigate site-specific sustainable solutions to increasing heat, including technical, managerial and socio-cultural solutions (Papers II, IV, V). Methods: To address the specific objectives, a wide array of research techniques and qualitative and quantitative methods were used. The methods included literature reviews, case studies, heat stress assessment techniques, questionnaire surveys, thermal manikin measurements, application of thermophysiological models and an experimental study conducted in a climatic chamber.Results: This research showed that occupational heat exposure is already a problem in Chennai, India, affecting workers’ health and productivity. The problems are set to worsen due to climate change. Female workers are more prone to heat stress due to the use of clothing that inhibit heat dissipation. Physiological models are also less accurate in predicting heat strain for females. The Predicted Heat Strain (PHS) model (ISO 7933:2004a) can be applied to estimate thermal physiological responses and indirectly to estimate labour productivity loss due to heat exposure. However, caution has to be taken when analysing intermittent work as the PHS over-predicts body cooling at low activity. Traditional methods of coping with heat stress were analysed and the traditional Indian fermented dairy drink, ‘buttermilk’, proved to be as effective as water in reducing thermal strain. Buttermilk also had a protective effect on renal function. The analysis and evaluation of solutions require transdisciplinary and holistic approaches, including not only technical solutions but also a mix of locally appropriate technologies integrated with a human rights and environmental justice frame.Conclusion: Occupational heat stress is already a problem, affecting workers’ health and productivity. The situation is bound to worsen due to climate change. Because of this, it is important to assess and validate current assessment tools and develop sustainable solutions

How will climate change working life?

Heat stress has been studied extensively. However, in the contemporary context of climate change there is a lack of information on the extent of future heat stress and its consequences, especially in occupational settings. The main aim of the research was to identify the current knowledge gaps by conducting a literature review (paper I) together with the collection of empirical data to examine the implications for labour productivity and occupational health in already hot workplaces in Chennai, India (paper II). Finally, it also looked at adaptation options for cooling and sustainability challenges from air conditioning use (paper III). The literature review found the main factors to exacerbate heat stress in current and future workplaces to be the urban heat island effect, physical work, individual differences, and the developing country context, where technological fixes and certain control measures are often not applicable. There is also a lack of information regarding the effects on vulnerable groups such as the poor, elderly and pregnant women. The field study in Chennai gathered data from measurements, observations and questionnaires. Climate measurements were combined with estimations of workload and measurements of the properties of the work clothing. Health risks, preventive methods, productivity impacts and the links to climate change were also explored. All workplaces surveyed, representing the industrial, service and agricultural sectors, had very high heat exposure, often reaching the international standard threshold (ISO 7243:1989) for working safely. Most workers had moderate to high workloads, some in direct sun exposure. Females were found to be more vulnerable due to the extra insulation added from wearing a protective shirt on top of traditional clothing when working. Most workers reported health problems due to heat exposure, including tiredness, dizziness and headaches. Problems in meeting production targets in the hotter months were usually compensated for by overtime work. When analyzing productivity loss and heat strain in a physiological model – the Predicted Heat Strain Model (ISO 7933:2004) – the parameters showed significant impacts, especially when a couple of extra degrees were added to the climate change scenario. Water provision and rehydration were critical parameters in the outcome. 2 Locally in workplaces, there were numerous approaches used to reduce heat exposure. Apart from taking rests, traditional methods, which included mainly drinks and diet, dominated the coping mechanisms. Air conditioning as a technical solution has experienced high growth in India as a means of protection from heat exposure. It is effective in reducing heat exposure but creates many sustainability challenges. In paper III, it was found that air conditioning use triggers an increase in energy consumption when the outdoor temperature increases, resulting in greenhouse gas emissions and therefore affecting climate change. In addition, the direct heat rejected from the air conditioning units adds to street level heat and thus, the urban heat island effect. If not abated, it has the potential to intensify climate change, and place extra loads on future energy supplies, especially during heat waves. The issue of increasing heat and associated productivity loss could impact working people’s health and livelihood. Further research needs to look at all aspects and impacts, taking an interdisciplinary perspective

Kommunernas arbete med klimatanpassning 2019 : Analys av statusrapportering till SMHI

Enligt Förordning (2018:1428) om myndigheters klimatanpassningsarbete ska myndigheterna inom sina ansvarsområden och inom ramen för sina uppdrag initiera, stödja och utvärdera arbetet med klimatanpassning. Myndigheterna ska årligen redovisa sitt klimatanpassningsarbete till SMHI, på det sätt som SMHI bestämmer. Enligt förordningen ska länsstyrelserna även initiera, stödja och följa upp kommunernas klimatanpassningsarbete. I syfte att stötta länsstyrelsernas arbete med att följa upp kommunernas klimatanpassningsarbete, samt för att få en helhetsbild över arbetet med klimatanpassning på olika nivåer i Sverige, valde SMHI att i redovisningen av arbetet år 2019 även inkludera ett antal frågor rörande kommunernas klimatanpassningsarbete. Syftet med denna rapport är att sammanställa och analysera redovisningen av kommunernas klimatanpassningsarbete från SMHIs redovisningsverktyg Klira. Analysen besvarar följande frågor: Hur arbetar kommunerna för att anpassa sig till nuvarande och framtida klimat? För vilka av de prioriterade utmaningarna i Nationell strategi för klimatanpassning har kommunerna vidtagit åtgärder? Vilka svårigheter har kommunerna identifierat i arbetet med klimatanpassning? I syfte att pröva de slutsatser som dras i denna rapport görs även en översiktlig jämförelse med andra rapporter på nationell nivå som undersökt eller berört kommunernas arbete med klimatanpassning. För att se om olika typer av kommuner har kommit olika långt i sitt klimatanpassningsarbete och om de har olika utmaningar eller svårigheter i arbetet delades kommunerna in i olika grupper (exempelvis kustkommuner, landsbygdskommuner, kommuner i norra respektive södra Sverige) där de olika grupperingarnas svar analyserades. Kommunerna har identifierat behov av klimatanpassning men har kommit olika långt i arbetet med anpassningsåtgärder Av redovisningarna framkommer att kommunerna överlag än så länge inte kommit så långt i sitt klimatanpassningsarbete att de följt upp eller utvärderat effekten av vidtagna åtgärder. Dock anger över 90 procent av kommunerna att de i någon utsträckning identifierat behov av klimatanpassning inom kommunen. Överlag har kustkommuner, storstäder och storstadsnära kommuner samt kommunerna i södra Sverige kommit längre i sitt klimatanpassningsarbete än landsbygdskommunerna och kommunerna i norra Sverige. De prioriterade utmaningar som flest kommuner vidtagit åtgärder mot är Översvämningar som hotar samhällen, infrastruktur och företag, följt av Ras, skred och erosion som hotar samhällen, infrastruktur och företag. Den utmaning som minst antal kommuner vidtagit åtgärder mot är Påverkan på inhemsk och internationell livsmedelsproduktion och handel. Kommunerna upplever vissa svårigheter i sitt arbete med klimatanpassning, främst i form av bristande internt stöd, prioriteringar och resurstilldelning (både personellt och finansiellt). Kommunernas bristande resurser är en återkommande faktor i redovisningarna i Klira och tas även upp av länsstyrelserna i deras redovisning till SMHI som ett hinder för klimatanpassningsarbetet. Både länsstyrelser och kommuner tar i sina redovisningar till SMHI även upp önskemål om att tydligare krav i lagstiftningen på kommunernas arbete med klimatanpassning borde införas.In January 2019, a Government decree on Swedish authorities’ work on climate change adaptation entered into force. The decree establishes that 32 national authorities and all 21 County Administrative Boards shall, within their areas of responsibility and within their missions, initiate, support and monitor adaptation to climate change. The decree also establishes that the authorities shall report their work annually to SMHI. According to the decree the County Administrative Boards shall also initiate, support and monitor their respective municipalities’ climate change adaptation work. In order to support the County Administrative Boards in their task to monitor the work done by the municipalities, SMHI chose to include some questions about the municipalities’ climate change adaptation measures in their annual reporting to SMHI for 2019. The purpose of the analysis is to examine what steps in the climate change adaptation process the municipalities have taken; which adaptation measures they have undertaken to address the challenges identified in the Swedish national adaptation strategy, and what difficulties they have encountered in their work on climate change adaptation. In order to examine if different categories of municipalities have taken different actions and encountered different difficulties in their work on climate change adaptation, the municipalities were divided into different categories, such as coastal, southern, northern, large and rural municipalities. The municipalities have identified needs for action to adapt to a changing climate The analysis shows that 90 percent of the municipalities have identified the need to take action with regards to climate change adaptation. However, few municipalities have evaluated whether measures taken to adapt to a changing climate have made the municipality less vulnerable. Coastal municipalities, larger cities and municipalities close to larger cities, as well as municipalities in the southern part of Sweden have come further in the climate change adaptation process than the rural and northern municipalities Regarding the nationally prioritized challenges, the municipalities have, to the highest extent, undertaken adaptation measures towards flooding, landslides and erosion, whereas few measures have been undertaken with regards to the effects on domestic and international food production and trade. The municipalities have encountered various difficulties in their climate change adaptation work, mainly in terms of lack of support within their own organizations, inadequate prioritization and insufficient personal and financial resources. This shortage of resources experienced by the municipalities is repeated frequently in the reporting to SMHI and is also mentioned by the County Administrative Boards as an obstacle for the further development of the climate change adaptation work. Furthermore, both the County Administrative Boards and the municipalities report a wish for the legislation to be updated including a clearer directive and an identified mandate for the municipalities with regard to their climate change adaptation work

Occupational heat stress and associated productivity loss estimation using the PHS model (ISO 7933): a case study from workplaces in Chennai, India.

Heat stress is a major occupational problem in India that can cause adverse health effects and reduce work productivity. This paper explores this problem and its impacts in selected workplaces, including industrial, service, and agricultural sectors in Chennai, India

Myndigheters arbete med klimatanpassning 2019

Myndigheterna ska redovisa sitt arbete med klimatanpassning till SMHIFörordning (2018:1428) om myndigheters klimatanpassningsarbete antogs av regeringen i juni 2018 och trädde i kraft 1 januari 2019. Den fastställer att 32 nationella myndigheter och samtliga 21 länsstyrelser ska, inom sina ansvarsområden och inom ramen för sina uppdrag, initiera, stödja och utvärdera arbetet med klimatanpassning. Förordningen ålägger myndigheterna att årligen redovisa sitt arbete med klimatanpassning, på det sätt som SMHI bestämmer. SMHI får i uppdrag att stötta myndigheterna i deras arbete, samt att analysera den årliga redovisningen. SMHI ska lämna en sammanfattande analys till regeringen den 15 april varje år. Denna rapport utgör SMHIs sammanfattande analys år 2020. Myndigheterna har gjort sin redovisning i SMHIs webbverktyg Klira, som utvecklats speciellt för ändamålet. Klira innehåller frågor som kan besvaras med ja, nej eller delvis, med möjlighet att lämna kompletterande uppgifter i frisvarsfält .Det finns även rena frisvarsfrågor och frågor med föridentifierade flervalssvar. Syftet med analysen är att besvara följande frågor: Hur har myndigheterna som omfattas av förordningen utfört de uppdrag som angesi förordningen? I vilken utsträckning arbetar myndigheterna enligt prioriteringar och principer iNationell strategi för klimatanpassning? Vilka risker, möjligheter och åtgärder har myndigheterna identifierat ochprioriterat? Vilka hinder och behov har myndigheterna identifierat i sitt arbete medklimatanpassning? På längre sikt är syftet med redovisningen och analysen att följa upp hur myndigheternas arbete bidrar till att göra Sverige mer resilient mot effekterna av klimatförändring. Ett viktigt mervärde av redovisningen är att den resulterat i sökbara databaser, där medverkande myndigheter kan hitta information för att underlätta samverkan. Myndigheterna följer i stor utsträckning förordningen30 myndigheter och 20 länsstyrelser redovisade i Klira. Analysen har gjorts baserat på den information som myndigheterna har redovisat. Resultatet ifrån redovisningen visar att myndigheterna i stor utsträckning har följt förordningen. De flesta har genomfört en klimat- och sårbarhetsanalys för hela eller delar av verksamheten. Merparten har en handlingsplan för klimatanpassning. Det finns många goda exempel på hur myndigheterna har jobbat med frågan, vilket möjliggör erfarenhetsutbyte. Inom vissa områden har myndigheterna inte nått ända fram, vilket inte är oväntat då förordningen för många innebar starten för klimatanpassningsarbetet. Extra stöd från SMHI kan framöver behövas kring identifiering av lagar som påverkar arbetet med klimatanpassning, hänsyn till klimatanpassning vid upphandling samt uppföljning av handlingsplanen i lärande syfte. Dessutom kan det finnas behov av vissa förtydligande i förordningen rörande vad klimat- och sårbarhetsanalysen ska omfatta samt hur myndighetsmålen ska formuleras. Myndigheterna arbetar brett med klimatanpassningI den nationella strategin för klimatanpassning pekas sju utmaningar ut som särskilt prioriterade för Sverige. Samtliga av dessa prioriteras också i myndigheternas arbete. Många myndigheter anser att risker som rör översvämning samt ras, skred och erosion är viktiga för dem, men identifierar även flera andra prioriterade utmaningar som viktiga. Flera hinder kvarstår för arbetetMånga myndigheter upplever olika hinder i sitt arbete med klimatanpassning. Det handlar om bristande resurser, otillfredsställande kunskapsläge och kunskapsunderlag samt otillräcklig eller otydlig lagstiftning. Ansvarsfördelningen upplevs som otydlig och det finns även problem kring bristande rådighet. Därtill behöver den kunskap som finns tillgängliggöras och ny kunskap tas fram. Myndighetsnätverket för klimatanpassning och Nationellt kunskapscentrum för klimatanpassning spelar en viktig roll i kunskapsspridningen. Slutsatser och rekommendationerAnalysen visar att myndigheterna i de flesta fall har kommit igång med sitt klimatanpassningsarbete på ett bra sätt. Dock behöver många myndigheter fortsatt analysarbete för att specificera risker och möjligheter samt identifiera vilka åtgärder som behövs i samhället för att möta dessa. Efter samråd med myndigheterna kommer SMHI att göra en översyn av Klira för att förtydliga oklarheter och utveckla frågorna så att det på sikt blir möjligt att följa upp effekterna av myndigheternas arbete. Dessutom rekommenderas följande som nästa steg i arbetet: SMHI bör fortsätta sitt stödjande arbete för att underlätta myndigheternasimplementering av förordningen om myndigheters klimatanpassningsarbete. SMHI bör fortsätta att erbjuda möjligheter till samverkan och erfarenhetsutbyte förmyndigheterna, till exempel inom ramen för Myndighetsnätverket förklimatanpassning. SMHI bör fortsätta att arbeta för att kunna följa upp effekterna avklimatanpassningsarbetet på Sveriges sårbarhet. SMHI bör utveckla och tillgängliggöra sökfunktioner i Klira, i syfte att underlättasamverkan mellan myndigheterna. Myndighetsnätverket för klimatanpassning bör fortsätta sitt arbete med att ta fram och samordna kunskapsunderlag, både för att höja kapaciteten hos deltagandemyndigheter och för att underlätta klimatanpassningsarbetet hos andra aktörer isamhället. Regeringen bör överväga om klimatanpassningsförordningen kan förtydligas  med avseende på vad klimat- och sårbarhetsanalysen ska omfatta samt hur myndighetsmålen ska formuleras. Regeringen bör överväga hur Upphandlingsmyndigheten kan engageras i arbetetmed att ta fram stöd för hur myndigheterna kan ta hänsyn till klimatanpassning i upphandling. Regeringen bör överväga att i lagstiftning förtydliga kommunernas roll i arbetet med klimatanpassning.In January 2019, a Government decree on Swedish authorities´ work on adaptation to climate change entered into force. The decree establishes that 32 national authorities and all 21 County Administrative Boards shall, within their areas of responsibility and within their missions, initiate, support and monitor adaptation to climate change. The decree also establishes that the authorities shall report their work annually to SMHI. The reporting has been done by the authorities in a web-based system that SMHI has developed specifically for this purpose. SMHI shall support the authorities in their work, and prepare an analysis of the reporting to Government on the 15th of April every year. This report constitutes SMHIs analysis for the year 2020. The purpose of the analysis is to establish to what degree the authorities covered by the decree have completed the tasks that it entails. We also wanted to find out to what degree the authorities work according to the priorities and principles established in the Swedish National Adaptation Strategy, what risks, opportunities and measures that have been identified, as well as the obstacles and needs for further development. The analysis shows that the authorities to a large degree follow the decree. Most have completed a climate- and vulnerability analysis for all or parts of their activities. Most also have an adaptation action plan. There are many good examples of how the authorities have carried out the work, which creates good opportunities for exchange of experiences and learning. In some areas, work remains to be done, which is not unexpected as this year for many represented the start of working with adaptation. Additional support from SMHI may be needed in the areas of legislation, inclusion of adaptation in the public procurement processes, and evaluation. There may also be a need for clarification of the decree in some areas. In the National Adaptation Strategy, seven challenges were identified as being especially important for Sweden. All of these have also been prioritised by the authorities. Many consider risks connected to flooding, landslides and erosion as important. Many authorities experience different obstacles in their work on adaptation. This concerns lack of resources, unsatisfying levels of knowledge and data, and insufficient or unclear legislation. Divisions of responsibility are felt to be unclear, and there is also an issue about lack of mandate to act. New knowledge is needed, and the knowledge that is already there needs to be made available. In conclusion, most authorities have made a good start on their adaptation work. Nevertheless, several authorities still need to carry out additional analytical work to specify risks and opportunities, and to identify what measures are needed in society to meet these. After consulting with the authorities, SMHI will review and develop the reporting methodology so that it will, in the long term, become possible to evaluate not only what the authorities are doing, but also the effect of this work on reducing Sweden’s vulnerability to climate change. It is also recommended that SMHI continues to support the authorities in implementing the decree, as well as offering opportunities for collaboration and learning from each other. This can for example be done through the National Authorities’ Network for Adaptation. This Network should also continue its work to develop and coordinate the knowledge base for adaptation