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Heat Stress Perception among Native and Migrant Workers in Italian Industries—Case Studies from the Construction and Agricultural Sectors

Author

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  • Alessandro Messeri

    (Centre of Bioclimatology (CIBIC), University of Florence (UNIFI), 50144 Florence, Italy
    Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), University of Florence (UNIFI), 50144 Florence, Italy)

  • Marco Morabito

    (Centre of Bioclimatology (CIBIC), University of Florence (UNIFI), 50144 Florence, Italy
    Institute of Biometeorology, National Research Council (IBIMET-CNR), 50145 Florence, Italy)

  • Michela Bonafede

    (Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene Department, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), 00143 Rome, Italy)

  • Marcella Bugani

    (Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene Department, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), 00143 Rome, Italy)

  • Miriam Levi

    (Tuscany Regional Centre for Occupational Injuries and Diseases (CeRIMP), 50135 Florence, Italy)

  • Alberto Baldasseroni

    (Tuscany Regional Centre for Occupational Injuries and Diseases (CeRIMP), 50135 Florence, Italy)

  • Alessandra Binazzi

    (Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene Department, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), 00143 Rome, Italy)

  • Bernardo Gozzini

    (Tuscany Region, LaMMA Consortium, Weather Forecaster and Researcher at Laboratory of Monitoring and Environmental Modelling for Sustainable Development, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy)

  • Simone Orlandini

    (Centre of Bioclimatology (CIBIC), University of Florence (UNIFI), 50144 Florence, Italy
    Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), University of Florence (UNIFI), 50144 Florence, Italy)

  • Lars Nybo

    (Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Section for Integrative Physiology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark)

  • Alessandro Marinaccio

    (Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene Department, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), 00143 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Climate change will increase the frequency and severity of hazard events such as heat waves, with important effects in several European regions. It is of importance to consider overall effects as well as specific impact on vulnerable population groups such as outdoor workers. The agricultural and construction sectors represent two strategic occupational fields that in relatively recent years involve an increasing number of migrant workers, and therefore require a better management of cultural aspects, that may interact with and impact on heat-related health risk. For this reason, the present study evaluated heat-stress perception and management among native and immigrant workers in Europe. As part of the EU’s Horizon 2020 HEAT-SHIELD project (grant agreement No. 668786), two agricultural and one construction companies, traditionally employing migrant workers, were evaluated with a questionnaire survey during the summer months of 2017. The data collected (104 case studies) were analyzed using descriptive statistics (Chi-squared tests) and the analysis of variance was performed with ANOVA test. From the results, migrant workers declared that work required greater effort than do native Italian workers (χ 2 = 17.1, p = 0.001) but reported less impact from heat on productivity (χ 2 = 10.6; p = 0.014) and thermal discomfort. In addition, migrant workers were mainly informed through written or oral communications, while native workers received information on heat-health issues through training courses. These findings are of importance for future information and mitigation actions to address socio-cultural gaps and reduce heat-stress vulnerability.

Suggested Citation

  • Alessandro Messeri & Marco Morabito & Michela Bonafede & Marcella Bugani & Miriam Levi & Alberto Baldasseroni & Alessandra Binazzi & Bernardo Gozzini & Simone Orlandini & Lars Nybo & Alessandro Marina, 2019. "Heat Stress Perception among Native and Migrant Workers in Italian Industries—Case Studies from the Construction and Agricultural Sectors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:7:p:1090-:d:217454
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Haruna M. Moda & Walter Leal Filho & Aprajita Minhas, 2019. "Impacts of Climate Change on Outdoor Workers and Their Safety: Some Research Priorities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-21, September.
    2. Alana L Hansen & Susan Williams & Scott Hanson-Easey & Blesson M Varghese & Peng Bi & Jane Heyworth & Monika Nitschke & Shelley Rowett & Malcolm R Sim & Dino L Pisaniello, 2020. "Using a Qualitative Phenomenological Approach to Inform the Etiology and Prevention of Occupational Heat-Related Injuries in Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-16, January.
    3. Daniele Grifoni & Alessandro Messeri & Alfonso Crisci & Michela Bonafede & Francesco Pasi & Bernardo Gozzini & Simone Orlandini & Alessandro Marinaccio & Riccardo Mari & Marco Morabito & on behalf of , 2021. "Performances of Limited Area Models for the WORKLIMATE Heat–Health Warning System to Protect Worker’s Health and Productivity in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-20, September.
    4. Mario Fargnoli & Mara Lombardi, 2020. "NOSACQ-50 for Safety Climate Assessment in Agricultural Activities: A Case Study in Central Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-20, December.
    5. Sabrina K. Beckmann & Michael Hiete, 2020. "Predictors Associated with Health-Related Heat Risk Perception of Urban Citizens in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-11, January.
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    7. Tjaša Pogačar & Zala Žnidaršič & Lučka Kajfež Bogataj & Zalika Črepinšek, 2020. "Steps Towards Comprehensive Heat Communication in the Frame of a Heat Health Warning System in Slovenia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-16, August.
    8. Jongchul Park & Yeora Chae & Seo Hyung Choi, 2019. "Analysis of Mortality Change Rate from Temperature in Summer by Age, Occupation, Household Type, and Chronic Diseases in 229 Korean Municipalities from 2007–2016," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-15, May.
    9. Letian Li & Boyang Sun & Zhuqiang Hu & Jun Zhang & Song Gao & Haifeng Bian & Jiansong Wu, 2022. "Heat Strain Evaluation of Power Grid Outdoor Workers Based on a Human Bioheat Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-17, June.
    10. Chiara Di Blasi & Alessandro Marinaccio & Claudio Gariazzo & Luca Taiano & Michela Bonafede & Antonio Leva & Marco Morabito & Paola Michelozzi & Francesca K. de’ Donato & on behalf of the Worklimate C, 2023. "Effects of Temperatures and Heatwaves on Occupational Injuries in the Agricultural Sector in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-14, February.

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