TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2020//
TI  - Risk perception of heat related disorders on the workplaces: a survey among health and safety representatives from the autonomous province of Trento, Northeastern Italy
JO  - Journal of preventive medicine and hygiene
A1  - Riccò, M.
A1  - Razio, B.
A1  - Poletti, L.
A1  - Panato, C.
A1  - Balzarini, F.
A1  - Mezzoiuso, A. G.
A1  - Vezzosi, L.
SP  - eE48
EP  - E59
VL  - 61
IS  - 1
N2  - INTRODUCTION: This study will investigate knowledge, attitude and practices towards heat-related health issues in a sample of safety representatives from Northern Italy (H&SRs).     Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted in 2016-2017 among 298 H&SR. Knowledge status was measured both in general but as well and focusing on first-aid issues. Assessment of risk perception included severity and frequency of heat-related events. Multivariate logistic regression analysis assessed individual and work-related characteristics associated with H&SRs' risk perception.     Results: 258 questionnaires were retrieved (participation rate 86.6%; mean age 48.2 ± 8.4 years). Knowledge status was relatively good on technical/preventive issues (62.3% ± 16.8) and first aid measures (72.6% ± 27.2), but a large share of respondents ignored the risk from exertional heat stroke (35.9%), and for heat strokes elicited by non-environmental heat (e.g. machineries, use of protective equipment, etc. 47.9%). The majority of respondents acknowledged the high frequency of extreme events like heat waves (62.0%), but only 44.6% agreed on their potential health threat, with an unsatisfying cumulative risk perception score (55.4% ± 23.5). A specific first-aid formation course was reported by 49.2% of respondents, while 10.9% had any previous interaction with heat-related disorders. Specific countermeasures for heat waves had been put in place by parent company in 20.1% of cases. Eventually, higher educational achievements (mOR 2.239, 95% CI 1.184-4.233) and a better general knowledge status (mOR 1.703, 95% CI 1.073-2.979) were positive predictors for higher risk perception.     Conclusions: Although H&SRs exhibited a good understanding of heat-related health issues, stakeholders should improve the implementation of specific countermeasures on the workplaces.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1121-2233
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2020.61.1.727
ID  - ref1
ER  -