Occupational health management of radiation workers in non-medical institutions in Shanxi Province, China / 中国辐射卫生

Objective To understand the basic information of the number, classification, and distribution of radiation work units in non-medical institutions in Shanxi Province, China, and to analyze the status quo of health management and radiation protection measures for radiation workers, so as to provide a scientific basis for occupational exposure protection in non-medical radiation work units and better protect the occupational health rights and interests of radiation workers. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate some non-medical institutions in Shanxi Province. On-site testing was carried out to determine the risk factors for radioactive occupational diseases in the selected non-medical institutions. Results In 220 non-medical institutions, there were 340 radiation devices and 2284 radioactive sources. The rate of individual dose monitoring was 92.7% and the rate of occupational health examination was 87.2%. These devices were equipped with 325 detection instruments for radiation protection, 1316 personal protective equipment, and 730 personal dose alarms. Radiation occupational disease risk factors were investigated in 101 institutions. Conclusion The occupational health management of radiation workers in non-medical institutions in Shanxi Province is generally in line with the national standards. However, there is still a big gap with the level of occupational health management in medical institutions. The health administration departments should clarify the management measures for non-medical institutions and strengthen their supervision and management functions.

Analysis of current radiation protection and occupational health management in non-medical institutions in Hebei Province, China, 2022 / 中国辐射卫生

Objective To investigate the number, distribution, and types of radiation of non-medical radiation institutions in Hebei Province, China, and to explore the current radiation protection in the employing units and occupational health management of radiation workers in 2022. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted in the non-medical institutions engaged in nuclear technology application in Hebei Province, and different types of employing units were selected to monitor the radioactivity level in the workplace. Results A total of 681 non-medical institutions engaged in radiation technology application completed the survey, covering all cities with subordinate districts in the province, including 1605 radioactive devices, 2960 active devices, 45 non-uranium metal mines, and 14 non-sealed workplaces. A total of 8617 radiation workers were surveyed, with a personal dose monitoring rate of 70.9%, a radiation protection training rate of 61.1%, and an occupational health examination rate for radiation workers of 59.3%. A total of 614 radiation protection monitoring instruments were provided, with a personal protective equipment allocation rate of 51.1% and a personal dose alarm device allocation rate of 51.8%. The radiation occupational hazardous factor testing was completed for 54 workplaces, and the results were all qualified. Conclusion There are still significant deficiencies in personal dose monitoring in the radiation work units in non-medical institutions and occupational health examination in the radiation work units in our province. The health administrative departments should strengthen health supervision and law enforcement, enhance radiation protection and skill training for employers, and more effectively control the impact of radiation hazards on personnel health.

Analysis of current status of radiation protection in non-medical radiation workplaces in Yantai, China, 2022 / 中国辐射卫生

Objective To investigate the current status of radiation protection in non-medical radiation workplaces in Yantai, China, and to provide a scientific basis for occupational health management in non-medical radiation workplaces. Methods Non-medical radiation workplaces in Yantai were investigated using a questionnaire survey in 2022, including radiation source term, occupational health examination, personal dose monitoring, personal protective equipment, and radiation protection testing workplaces. Data were entered by a double-entry method and then analyzed. Results There were 56 non-medical radiation workplaces in Yantai, covering manufacturing, nonferrous metal ore mining, nuclear power plant, transportation, and technical services. There were 0 Class I radiation device, 150 Class II radiation devices, and 10 Class III radiation devices; there were 80 Class I radiation sources, 16 Class II radiation sources, 14 Class III radiation sources, 62 Class IV radiation sources, and 135 Class V radiation sources. There were 998 radiation workers, with an occupational health examination rate and personal dose monitoring rate of 98.3%. Among the 56 non-medical radiation workplaces, 47 (83.9%) were equipped with radiation protection monitoring instruments, 24 (51.1%) workplaces had verified the radiation protection monitoring instruments, with 2017 personal dose monitoring instruments and 2327 personal protective equipment in place, 42 (75%) workplaces carried out occupational health assessments, 44 (78.6%) workplaces carried out self-detection, and 53 (94.6%) workplaces carried out entrusting detections (monitoring pass rate: 100% [53/53]). The declaration rate of occupational hazard items was 87.5% (49/56). Conclusion There is still a gap between the current status and the requirements in the national regulations and standards regarding radiation protection in non-medical radiation workplaces. Therefore, the supervision and management of non-medical radiation workplaces should be further strengthened, especially the configuration and verification of radiation protection monitoring instruments.

Occupational resource profiles for an addressee orientation in occupational health management: a segmentation analysis.

Introduction: In order to make sustainable decisions in precision prevention and health promotion, it is important to adequately assess people's demands and resources at work. To reach them in an addressee-oriented way, a segmentation of employers and employees based on occupational resources is a promising option. We identified profiles based on personal and perceived organizational resources. Furthermore, we used job demands for profile descriptions to obtain a deeper understanding of the profiles, characterizing people with similar occupational resources. Methods: Personal occupational resources (occupational health literacy and self-efficacy) and perceived organizational resources (job decision latitude and participation in health at work) were assessed among employers and employees (n = 828) in small- and medium-sized enterprises in Germany. Job demands, socioeconomic status, and hierarchy levels in the company were used for further profile descriptions. Results: A six-profile solution fitted best to the data based on cluster and profile analyses. One profile was characterized by above-average occupational resources, and another profile was characterized by below-average resources. The other four profiles showed that the individual and perceived organizational resources contrasted. Either organizational resources such as job decision latitude existed and personal resources were not highly developed or people had high individual motivation but few possibilities to participate in health at work. People with medium or high job demands as well as people with low socioeconomic status were most frequently in below-average resource profiles. Employers with high hierarchy levels were overrepresented in the above-average profiles with high organizational resources. Discussion: Following the segmentation of the addressees, organizations might be supported in identifying needs and areas for prevention and health promotion. Interventions can be optimally developed, tailored, and coordinated through a deeper understanding of job demands and resources. Especially employees with low socioeconomic status and high job demands might profit from an addressee-orientated approach based on resource profiles. For example, employees obtain an overview of their occupational resource profile to recognize the development potential for safe and healthy behavior at work. Follow-up research should be used to examine how this feedback to employers and employees is implemented and how it affects the sustainability of tailored interventions.

Latex anaphylaxis in healthcare worker and the occupational health management perspective: A case report.

Latex allergy is a critical occupational health problem in healthcare settings. Exposure to latex can lead to severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. However, in epidemiological studies, occupational anaphylaxis due to natural rubber latex is relatively rare. For this reason, allergic reactions from latex exposure in the workplace may not be well aware and, therefore, lead to delayed appropriate management. We reported a female physician who sought occupational health program counseling for her latex allergic reaction following occupational exposure and her two episodes of latex anaphylaxis during medical-surgical procedures. An occupational health management program (e.g. glove replacement and a bracelet with latex allergy labeling) was established. After the intervention, she rarely experienced any allergic symptoms. Given these points, anaphylaxis can be triggered by occupational exposure to latex; thus, occupational health management is key to preventing and managing latex allergies in the workplace.

[Non-smoker protection and tobacco cessation]. / Nichtraucherschutz und Tabakentwöhnung.

Non-smoker protection and tobacco cessation Abstract. Objective: Whereas, on the one hand, employees in child and adolescent psychiatric institutions (CAP) have to enforce smoking bans among patients, on the other hand, they have a high likelihood of being smokers themselves. Little data are available on the enforcement of smoking regulations and what cessation support is offered by CAP institutions. Method: In an online survey, n = 78 senior staff members or directors of German CAP institutions (41.9 % of all addressed CAP institutions) responded to questions on smoking regulations, exceptions, and cessation support for employees. Results: The enforcement of comprehensive smoking bans is rarely reported (<20 % of CAP institutions). Employees are exempted or allowed to smoke mostly outside of the building (e. g., in designated smoking areas: 69-78 % depending on ward type). Cessation support was offered by less than half of the CAP institutions (47%). Conclusions: The data presented point toward future areas for tobacco control in CAP care, including transparent regulations, staff training, and dissemination of support for occupational smoking cessation.

Discussion on the contents and methods of occupational health management evaluation of employers / 中国辐射卫生

Occupational health management is one of the major indicators for evaluating the occupational disease prevention and control status of employers. However, there is still a lack of occupational health management evaluation standards or specifications in China. Analysis and evaluation of the problems in occupational health management by employers require technicians to master the relevant laws, regulations, standards, and specifications. In contrast to this high technical demand, in reality various methods have been used for occupational health management evaluation. There are great differences in evaluation contents and the analysis is incomplete, resulting in numerous problems and low practical feasibility. In the Occupational Disease Prevention and Control Act (2016 Amendment), the cancellation of the certificates for institutions and individuals in evaluation of the damage caused by occupational diseases resulted in an increased number of assessment report writers with insufficient capability. Since 2018, the duty of occupational health supervision has been transferred from the work safety administrative department to the health administrative department. The ability of occupational health supervisors needs to be improved urgently. This article mainly analyzes and discusses the contents and methods of occupational health management evaluation, as well as the problems and suggestions. Our results provide a guideline for improvement of occupational health management.

Implementation and revision of the Measures for the Management of Radiation Workers’ Occupational Health / 中国辐射卫生

Since the implementation of the Measures for the Management of Radiation Workers’ Occupational Health in November 2007, it has played an extremely important role in protecting the occupational health of radiation workers. There are more than 700 000 radiation workers in about 100 000 workplaces with potential radiation exposure, as well as a large number of miners exposed to high levels of radon. As the radiation health monitoring project suggests, measures of occupational health management such as personal dose monitoring and occupational health examination of radiation workers have been widely implemented and achieved good results in the protection of radiation workers. However, the risks of chromosomal aberration and specific turbidity of the eye lens of radiation workers have increased in high-risk positions such as interventional radiology, nuclear medicine, and industrial flaw detection. The control of high radon exposure in miners needs to be strengthened. It is necessary to adapt to the new situation in view of new challenges and actively promote the revision of the Measures for the Management of Radiation Workers’ Occupational Health, so as to further improve the occupational health management of radiation workers in China.

A brief overview of the registration system of radiation exposure doses for decontamination workers and their occupational health management.

Following the Fukushima nuclear accident in March 2011, decontamination and related works have been carried out over a wide area, mainly in Fukushima Prefecture. In November 2013, the Radiation Dose Registration and Management System for Decontamination Workers was established to manage the occupational exposure doses of workers engaged in such work. The Radiation Effects Association mainly operates the registration system. This paper summarizes existing reports on this system and occupational health issues among decontamination workers. We collected previous reports and related regulatory laws on occupational health management for decontamination workers working in Fukushima Prefecture, summarized the outline of the radiation dose registration and management system for these decontamination workers, and discussed future issues related to their health management. Approximately 100 000 decontamination workers were registered in the system as of 2020, but none showed radiation doses that exceeded the dose limit. To our knowledge, there have been no reports of decontamination workers presenting physical symptoms suspected to be related to radiation exposure. On the other hand, heatstroke countermeasures and anxiety about radiation exposure have been reported as possible issues in the occupational health management of decontamination workers. Although decontamination workers are unlikely to experience biological effects from radiation exposure, epidemiological studies are needed to examine this evidence. Further analysis is also needed on non-radiation effects, which pose occupational health concerns for decontamination workers. The registration system would allow for tracking decontamination workers, providing data for analyzing radiological and non-radiological effects.

Very Low-Volume, High-Intensity Interval Training Mitigates Negative Health Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic-Induced Physical Inactivity.

Initially, we aimed to investigate the impact of a one-year worksite low-volume, high-intensity interval training (LOW-HIIT) on cardiometabolic health in 114 sedentary office workers. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, LOW-HIIT was discontinued after 6 months and participants were followed up for 6 months to analyze physical activity/exercise behavior and outcome changes during lockdown. Health examinations, including cardiopulmonary exercise testing and the assessment of cardiometabolic markers were performed baseline (T-1), after 6 months (T-2, termination of worksite LOW-HIIT) and 12 months (T-3, follow-up). Cycle ergometer LOW-HIIT (5 × 1 min at 85-95% HRmax) was performed 2×/week. For follow-up analyses, participants were classified into three groups: HIIT-group (continued home-based LOW-HIIT), EX-group (continued other home-based exercises), and NO-EX-group (discontinued LOW-HIIT/exercise). At T-2, VO2max (+1.5 mL/kg/min, p = 0.002), mean arterial blood pressure (MAB, -4 mmHg, p < 0.001), HbA1c (-0.2%, p = 0.005) and self-reported quality of life (QoL, +5 points, p < 0.001) were improved. At T-3, HIIT-group maintained VO2max and QoL and further improved MAB. EX-group maintained MAB and QoL but experienced a VO2max decrease. In NON-EX, VO2max, MAB and QoL deteriorated. We conclude that LOW-HIIT can be considered a promising option to improve cardiometabolic health in real-life conditions and to mitigate physical inactivity-related negative health impacts during lockdowns.

The Interplay Between Poor Sleep and Work-Related Health.

Objectives: Sleep disorders can arise from work. Employees who experience work overload are more likely to develop sleep problems. Poor sleep leads to decreased performance, sick leave, and accidents. Therefore, sleep disorders may be linked to workplace hazards as well as decreased occupational health, however, the relationship remains unknown. Methods: This relationship was examined using secondary data analysis of aggregated survey data from 97 companies based in Germany between 2003 and 2020 as part of Workplace Health Management project. Two extreme groups with respect to sleep problems were analyzed (N = 4,865 + 9,795). The survey "Diagnosis of corporate health" contained 137 individual questions which recorded all relevant working conditions, aspects of health, and one question relating to insomnia traits. A one-way analysis of variance was used to examine whether and to what extent the potentials, hazards, and health aspects differed between employees depending on their perceived sleep problems. In addition, multiple linear regressions were used to determine whether and to what extent work characteristics affect various health aspects for both good and poor sleepers. Results: In total, 49.7% of staff reported moderate difficulty falling and/or remaining asleep. These poor sleepers perceived all health potentials worse than good sleepers, especially on scales such as fair assessment, work climate, and learning at work. Furthermore, poor sleepers perceived health hazards (physical environmental stress, job insecurity, and time pressure) more whilst positive health indicators (joy of work and confidence) were perceived less. Conclusion: Overall, the determination of sleep difficulties could be used as a substantial health indicator. Also, these sleep problems are reported more frequently in certain occupations compared to others, which could mean that the perception of sleep health varies between professions. Therefore, it is important to implement specific recommendations for each industry in order to improve working conditions for poor sleepers which in turn, improves their health.

How Can We Help Healthcare Workers during a Catastrophic Event Such as the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Healthcare workers (HCWs) have significantly suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic, reporting a high prevalence of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We investigated with this survey whether HCWs benefitted from supportive measures put in place by hospitals and how these measures were perceived. This cross-sectional survey, which was conducted during the first wave of COVID-19 at the Geneva University Hospitals, Switzerland, between May and July 2021, collected information on the use and perception of practical and mental health support measures provided by the hospital. In total, 3461 HCWs participated in the study. Regarding the practical support measures, 2896 (84%) participants found them useful, and 2650 (76%) used them. Regarding the mental health support measures, 3149 (90%) participants found useful to have the possibility of attending hypnosis sessions, 3163 (91%) to have a psychologist within hospital units, 3202 (93%) to have a medical nursing psychiatric permanence available seven days a week, and 3171 (92%) to have a hotline available seven days a week. In total, 436 (13%) HCWs used at least one of the available mental health support measures. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the support measures were valued by HCWs. Given the high prevalence of psychiatric issues among HCWs, these measures seem necessary and are likely to have alleviated the suffering of HCWs.

The Systematic Workplace-Improvement Needs Generation (SWING): Verifying a Worker-Centred Tool for Identifying Necessary Workplace Improvements in a Nursing Home in Japan.

This study developed and tested a new measurement instrument, the Systematic Workplace-Improvement Needs Generation (SWING), to identify workplace-improvement needs. The participants were 53 workers in a Japanese nursing home for the elderly. The respondents used the SWING questionnaire to self-generate five 'cues' they considered important to improve the workplace. The workers determined each cue's sufficiency level and weight balance (importance), and then we summarised the 265 cues into 21 categories for workplace improvements. The respondents identified the following items as the most important and the least sufficiently provided areas for workplace improvement: 'interaction with customers', 'physical and psychological harassment', 'rewarding and challenging work', and 'sharing goals and objectives'. Although the workplace-improvement recommendations differed greatly from person to person, SWING prioritised the items by weight (importance) and sufficiency (current status), allowing organisations to address the needed improvements systematically. The SWING tool effectively elicited and prioritised respondents' recommendations for improving the workplace. Because its items are self-generated by the respondents, SWING can be used for any occupation or workplace. Visualisation with bubble plots to clarify the improvement needs is incorporated into SWING.

Investigation of radiation protection status in non-medical radiation institutions in Fujian Province, China / 中国辐射卫生

@#<b>Objective</b> To investigate the number and categorical distribution of non-medical radiation institutions in Fujian Province, China, and to explore the current situation of radiation occupational hazards prevention and control and the occupational health management of radiation workers in employing units. <b>Methods</b> The industrial enterprises engaged in the application of nuclear technology in our province were investigated, and different types of employing units were selected to monitor the radioactivity level in the workplace. <b>Results</b> A total of 377 non-medical radiation institutions were reported in the province, with a total of 5221 radiation workers (except luggage detector units); 1246 radiation workers held radiation worker certificates, accounting for 23.87%; 5103 radiation workers carried out personal dose monitoring, accounting for 97.74%; 5061 radiation workers participated in radiation protection knowledge training, accounting for 96.94%; a total of 4895 (93.76%)radiation workers received physical examination. <b>Conclusion</b> Health supervision authorities in Fujian Province should strengthen the supervision of non-medical radiation institutions, further improve the level of occupational health management, and protect the health rights and interests of radiation workers to the maximum extent.

Analysis on application of nuclear technology and radiation workers′ occupational health management in non-medical institutions in Huai′an City / 中国辐射卫生

Objective To investigate and analyze the current situation of nuclear technology utilization and radiation workers' occupational health management in non-medical institutions in Huai'an City, and to strengthen the prevention and control of occupational radiation diseases. Methods 37 non-medical institutions of nuclear technology utilization in Huai'an City were surveyed by questionnaire, including radioisotope and radiation apparatus, personal dose monitoring of radiation workers, implementation of occupational health examination, protective equipment, etc. Results The industry covers manufacturing industry, transportation, warehousing and postal industry, scientific research and technical service industry, residential service, repair and other service industries, 0 class I radiation device, 15 class II radiation devices, 67 class III radiation devices; 0 class I and II radiation sources, 1 class III radiation device, 16 class IV radiation sources, 51 class V radiation sources, 1 unsealed radioactive material Class B workplace; 493 radiation workers, 90.5% with certificates, 85.4% with personal dose monitoring rate, rate of 37.8% with radiation protection monitoring equipment, and 68.0% with occupational health examination rate. It has 13 institutions equipped with personal protective equipment, 23 with dose alarming devices and 14 with radiation protection monitors. 30 radiation workplace tests have been carried out in the past two years. Conclusion The occupational health management of radiation workers in non-medical institutions is weak. At present, the responsibility of occupational health supervision has been assigned to the health department. Therefore, the health administrative department should strengthen the supervision of non-medical nuclear technology utilization institutions and improve the emergency mechanism of radiation emergencies in Huai'an city.

Occupational health management of dispatched cleaning personnel at the nuclear medicine workplace in a medical institution / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

In recent years, labor dispatch has become a new form of employment in medical institutions for final disinfection, cleaning, garbage recycling and other work. Concerning the ambiguity of responsibilities and obligations in regard to dispatching workers′ occupational health management, most of employers and labor dispatching agencies failed to protect the legal rights and interests of dispatching workers during working. This article discusses the case of occupational health management and supervision of labor dispatch for cleaning worker at a nuclear medicine workplace in a medical institution.

Investigation and analysis of occupational hazards in dust related enterprises in Tianjin / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective To understand the occupational hazards of dust related enterprises in Tianjin, and to provide a scientific basis for formulating regulatory policies and effectively curbing the high incidence of pneumoconiosis. Methods The basic situation of the enterprise, the occupational health management status, and the occupational health status of the workers were described and analyzed. Results Most of the enterprises exposed to dust in Tianjin were small and micro enterprises, manufacturing enterprises and private enterprises. The reporting rate of occupational hazard items was uneven (P < 0.01). As the scale of the enterprise decreased, the comprehensive training rate of occupational health, the training rate of enterprise leaders, the training rate of occupational health management personnel, the comprehensive implementation rate of occupational hazard detection and the detection rate decreased accordingly (P < 0.01). Conclusion Tianjin should focus on the supervision of small and micro enterprises, strengthen the occupational health training of small and micro enterprises, and implement hierarchical and effective supervision for enterprises of different sizes in different regions. Meanwhile, enterprises should bear the main responsibility of occupational health, so as to ensure the continuity of occupational health management measures such as occupational hazard detection and occupational health inspection.

Do working characteristics influence the participation at health measures? Findings from a trial phase of workplace health promotion.

BACKGROUND: Health behavior is presumed to be influenced by organizational factors. This study analyzes how workplace characteristics influence health behavior in terms of participation at health measures. METHODS: Employees of the German Federal Ministry of Defense were surveyed at the beginning (January / February 2015) and at the end (June 2015) of the trial phase of workplace health promotion (WHP). Differences in participation of characteristic groups were calculated using Pearson's Chi2-Test and T-Test, chances of participation were estimated using multilevel logistic regression. RESULTS: Employees who reported higher satisfaction with work demand participated more often in health measures (aOR: 1.02, 95%-CI = 1.01, 1.04, p < 0.001). Large amount of variance in participation can be attributed to department level. CONCLUSION: Participation at WHP varies significantly between settings after controlling for individuals' characteristics. Thus, working characteristics should be considered as a decisive factor for WHP effectiveness. There is consensus that behavioral prevention is most effective when conditional prevention is granted as behavior is presumed to be influenced by individuals´ environmental conditions. Though objective working conditions may seem similar further context characteristics which remain unconsidered may lead to different behavior patterns. This article shows that more attention must be payed to setting specific characteristics with regard to effective Occupational Health Promotion.This project is registered by the Federal Ministry of Defense (research number: E/U2AD/ED003/EF555).

Association of Anxiety over Radiation Exposure and Acquisition of Knowledge Regarding Occupational Health Management in Operation Leader Candidates of Radioactivity Decontamination Workers in Fukushima, Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

An operation leader (OL) of radioactivity decontamination workers is required by law to have accurate knowledge of occupational health management (OHM) such as working environment management, control of operations, and health management as a field supervisor in Japan. The purpose of the current study is to examine the association between anxiety over radiation exposure and the possession/acquisition of the OHM knowledge required for OLs. In this cross-sectional study, data were collected before and after training sessions held by Fukushima Prefecture Labor Standard Associations in Fukushima, Japan, in 2017. Eighty-seven males who completed the questionnaires were enrolled to this study. As a result, acquisition of knowledge of working environment management was significantly associated with an increase of anxiety over radiation exposure after the session comparing the situation before and after the session (knowledge possession; odds ratio = 4.489; 95% confidence interval = 1.216, 16.571). In conclusion, acquisition of accurate knowledge of how to manage working environment management was associated with anxiety over radiation exposure. Although acquisition of said knowledge may contribute to the reduction of physical health risks, it may increase mental health risks. Both mental health support for OLs with accurate knowledge and educational support for those without accurate knowledge are required.

Preventive measures and lifestyle habits against exertional heat illness in radiation decontamination workers.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to reveal the current state of preventive measures and lifestyle habits against heat illness in radiation decontamination workers and to examine whether young radiation decontamination workers take less preventive measures and have worse lifestyle habits than the elder workers. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. Self-administered questionnaires were sent to 1,505 radiation decontamination workers in Fukushima, Japan. Five hundred fifty-eight men who replied and answered all questions were included in the statistical analysis. The questionnaire included age, duration of decontamination work, previous occupation, lifestyle habit, and preventive measures for heat illness. We classified age of the respondents into five groups: <30, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and ≥60 years and defined the workers under 30 years of age as young workers. Logistic regression analysis was used to reveal the factors associated with each lifestyle habit and preventive measures. RESULTS: In comparison with young workers, 50-59-year-old workers were significantly associated with refraining from drinking alcohol. Workers 40 years of age or older were significantly associated with cooling their bodies with refrigerant. Furthermore, 30-39-year-old workers and 40-49-year-old workers were significantly associated with adequate consumption of water compared to young workers. CONCLUSION: The results of our study suggests that young decontamination workers are more likely to have worse lifestyle habits and take insufficient preventive measures for heat illness. This may be the cause of higher incidence of heat illness among young workers.