Abstract
Global warming is strongly reflected in an increase in the number of hot days and, consequently, heat waves—their occurrence over a wider time frame, their duration, intensity and frequency. Changed characteristics were studied at two locations in Slovenia, confirming the increase. The problem of heat stress, health risks and labor productivity loss experienced by workers is well studied in hot locations, but not enough in Europe. Heat stress relies on both environmental and individual factors and it is important to understand how the general public and workers perceive heat risk, since this information may be helpful in preparing or updating heat stress mitigation strategies. Two studies were conducted in Slovenia in the frame of the Horizon 2020 Heat-Shield project, the first analyzing already experienced heat stress symptoms and health issues, productivity loss and self-initiative measures among workers in various sectors (N = 687), and the second investigating workers’ knowledge of heat stress, its impact and preventive measures (N = 117). Workplace temperature in a large majority of cases was considered not suitable, negative heat stress impacts were recognized and already experienced. The results of the two studies show the importance of the problem, which is expected to worsen due to climate change, making mitigation of heat stress an unavoidable issue.
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This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No. 668786.
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Pogačar, T., Žnidaršič, Z., Črepinšek, Z., Kajfež Bogataj, L. (2019). Aggravated Occupational Heat Stress Recognition and Mitigation in Slovenia. In: Leal Filho, W., Trbic, G., Filipovic, D. (eds) Climate Change Adaptation in Eastern Europe. Climate Change Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03383-5_18
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