Three presentations in this extended session include topics on gender, age, and available research.

Creating Equality in Physically Demanding Occupations: Defining Sex-Specific Safe Work Times for Women

Presented by: Kate Wagar, MSc Student

While the government aims to revitalize Ontario’s approach to prevent occupational heat stress by introducing new heat stress regulation under the OHSA, they fail to consider sex-differences in physiological strain and fatigue that can affect heat tolerance. This is a critical shortcoming given the fact the number of women engaged in physically demanding jobs is rising rapidly in Ontario. 

In this presentation, we will review preliminary findings from laboratory-based work simulation trials directed at defining gender-specific safe work times for moderate-to-heavy intensity work in very warm to very hot ambient conditions (wet-bulb globe temperature of 26, 29 and 32°C). We will review how the data generated from this study can help employers improve scheduling during hot weather or extreme heat events which includes scheduling worker/crew replacement, rest periods, job duty rotations, and other actions to prevent excessive heat strain.

Defining Safe Work Limits to Keep Young and Older Workers Safe uring a Daylong Work Shift in the Heat 

Presented by: Roberto Harris-Mostert, MSc Student 

Employers in Ontario have a general duty to take every precaution reasonable to protect workers. However, they are given no advice for the implementation of heat-mitigation controls when work in the heat must be continued over a prolonged work shift. This includes a lack of consideration for age-differences in thermoregulation on heat tolerance to occupational heat stress in the context of current guidelines. In this presentation, we will overview preliminary findings from our laboratory-based daylong work simulation trials directed at defining safe work times for the morning and afternoon work shift in young and older adults performing their duties in very warm environments (wet-bulb globe temperature of 26°C). 

We will review how the individualized heat exposure limits can be used as an important decision-aid to assist employers, crew chiefs and workers implement appropriate heat-mitigation controls when work in the heat must be continued over a prolonged work shift. With the number of older adults engaged in physically demanding jobs rising rapidly, the information generated from this work will also help employers promote targeted solutions to ensure equitable protection for all workers. 

Making Occupational Heat Stress Management ‘Manageable’ 

Presented by: Emily Tetzlaff, Ph.D. Candidate

Occupational heat stress poses a critical threat to worker health, safety, and productivity. To address this threat, individuals involved in occupational health and safety (OHS) are tasked with developing and implementing heat stress management programs, policies, and practices. However, with workplaces receiving guidance from multiple OHS system stakeholders (e.g., provincial/territorial ministries, health and safety associations, and sector-based safety agencies), there is an overwhelming amount of information available and deciphering appropriate and accurate information may prove problematic, especially when applying generalized guidance in unique work environments like mining. 

Thus, to effectively manage and make informed safety decisions regarding heat stress, while simultaneously managing several other critical hazards, OHS specialists require information and resources that are accurate, accessible, and timely. Therefore, we are conducting three additional knowledge mobilization-oriented studies to ensure there is industry-appropriate guidance that supports personnel engaged on the ground in occupational heat management to make site- and worker-specific informed decisions. This includes (1) a content analysis of current heat management guidance, educational resources and materials published online by OHS agencies and industry associations across Canada; (2) an interview-based inquiry into the challenges experienced by OHS representatives with heat management; and (3) the development, validation, and dissemination of a questionnaire to evaluate OHS representatives' current heat stress knowledge.