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Lack of guidelines for cold exposure among vulnerable outdoor workers
Department of Community Medicine, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
Department of Community Medicine, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology and Global Health.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-6082-8465
Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology and Global Health.
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2026 (English)In: International Journal of Circumpolar Health, ISSN 1239-9736, E-ISSN 2242-3982, Vol. 85, no 1, article id 2619359Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Low temperatures pose a significant yet underrecognized occupational health risk, particularly for outdoor workers with climate-sensitive medical conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disorders. While cold exposure is often associated with Arctic and high-altitude regions, even temperate and warmer climates experience severe winter temperature drops, placing a broad spectrum of outdoor workers at risk. Despite extensive research highlighting the adverse health effects of cold stress and its contribution to global mortality rates, occupational health and safety (OHS) guidelines remain disproportionately focused on heat-related risks, neglecting the unique vulnerabilities of workers exposed to extreme cold. This paper critically examines the gaps in current OHS policies and regulations regarding cold exposure, emphasizing the urgent need for evidence-based guidelines that specifically address the needs of outdoor workers with preexisting health conditions. By integrating medical, environmental, and occupational safety perspectives, we propose a framework for comprehensive protective measures, including improved risk assessment protocols, workplace adaptations, and regulatory interventions. Addressing this oversight is essential not only for safeguarding workers’ health but also for promoting sustainable labor practices and enhancing resilience in industries where cold exposure is a persistent threat. Establishing clear, targeted guidelines will be a crucial step toward mitigating cold-related occupational hazards and fostering a healthier global workforce.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis, 2026. Vol. 85, no 1, article id 2619359
Keywords [en]
cardiovascular disease, Cold weather, diabetes, occupational health guidelines, respiratory disease
National Category
Epidemiology Public Health, Global Health and Social Medicine Occupational Health and Environmental Health
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-249480DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2026.2619359PubMedID: 41566422Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105028227438OAI: oai:DiVA.org:umu-249480DiVA, id: diva2:2035655
Available from: 2026-02-05 Created: 2026-02-05 Last updated: 2026-02-05Bibliographically approved

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Stjernbrandt, AlbinTapper, Rebecca

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