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A new classification system may help in targeting prevention efforts geared towards outdoor workers — a group at elevated risk of exposure to climate-related health hazards like extreme heat, reports a study in the November Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

Using 2018-2022 data from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey, Kathleen Fitzsimmons, PhD, MPH, of Massachusetts Department of Public Health and colleagues created an Outdoor Occupational Exposure Matrix (OOEM) to assess the numbers and characteristics of outdoor workers in Massachusetts. Outdoor workers are at elevated risk of occupational exposure to extreme heat and other climate-related hazards.

Based on the OOEM, an estimated 17.5% of Massachusetts workers worked "primarily, often, or sometimes outdoors." The construction industry had the highest proportion of outdoor workers, approximately 80%; followed by agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting, 77%; and transportation, 68%. Outdoor work was more common for men than women: 28% versus 6%.

On analysis by race and ethnicity, American Indian/Alaska Native workers had the highest rate of outdoor work: about 29%. About 22% of Hispanic/Latino workers were outdoor workers, with significant variation between ethnic subgroups. A large majority of Hispanic/Latino outdoor workers—about 96%—spoke Spanish at home.

"With climate-related hazards likely to increase in the coming years due to global climate change, understanding the potential health and economic impacts of these hazards on workers is critical," according to the authors.

Environmental heat exposure is one of the most-recognized climate-related occupational health risks, associated with heat-related illness (heat exhaustion and heat stroke) as well as increased rates of traumatic injuries and death.

The new OOEM may aid in identifying subgroups of outdoor workers and tailoring efforts to address exposure to climate-related hazards. Such efforts should prioritize construction and other industries at high risk for climate-related health effects. Information on demographic factors associated with outdoor work will aid in the development of "linguistically and culturally appropriate" climate mitigation efforts.

Dr. Fitzsimmons and colleagues conclude: "Data on outdoor workers could be used by government or community partners for epidemiologic analyses on impacts of climate events (eg, heat wave, wildfire smoke event) on at-risk populations, to inform policy development, and to tailor outreach efforts to those at greatest risk."

Media inquiries
Media inquiries may be submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health by contacting Director of Media Relations Ann Scales at Ann.Scales@mass.gov.