Occupational Heat Stress in the Floriculture Industry of Ethiopia: Health Risks and Productivity Losses

Abstract

Background: The Ethiopian flower industry is growing fast with successful diversification of export products under greenhouse structures. Higher tem-peratures in the greenhouses pose a serious threat to the health of workers and add to the risk of occupational heat stress. Excessive heat in workplace settings also reduces work capacity and labour productivity. This study aims to investigate the level of heat exposure, and workers鈥?and managers鈥?percep-tions and behavioural responses towards extreme heat exposure in a warming climate. Methods: We used the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) measured in representative greenhouses to capture the heat exposure during hotter and cooler seasons following ISO 7243 (generally risk of heat stress occurs when WBGT exceeds 26藲C). A comparative cross-sectional study de-sign with a stratified sampling method was used to assess occupational heat stress and workers鈥?perceptions of the impact of heat on their health and productivity in six different floriculture greenhouses in Ethiopia representing three different agro-ecologies and products. A questionnaire survey was con-ducted (30 managers/supervisors and 305 workers; 76.1% female) to capture perceptions on heat exposures, symptoms of potential health impacts, prod-uctivity losses and coping mechanisms. Results: Heat exposure varied across different agroecologies, product types and greenhouse materials with a me-dian WBGT Index of 25.5藲C and a range from 18.1藲C to 31.5藲C. The impact of heat stress also varied across different employment sectors and geographi-cal regions. Overall, workers in cut-flower greenhouses are exposed to higher than recommended WBGT Index (26藲C) for 3 - 6 working hours daily. 65% of the managers reported that heat stress has a significant impact on the workers鈥?labour productivity, but do not have guidance about working in hot conditions. Workers reported more heat-related health issues and reduced productivity, especially in the mid-altitude greenhouses. About 50% of the workers reported that heat exposure decreased work productivity duri