Heat exposure and health impacts in climate change context: A primary study in a shipyard company in Vietnam

Introduction
Among top countries influenced by climate change, Vietnam has been facing to its impacts on many aspects, including health of working population and productivity. This study aims at describing heat exposure at workplace, its impacts to work and health as well as coping mechanism in a shipyard company in Vietnam.

Methods
Combined quantitative method (measuring micro climate factors at work places) and qualitative (in-depth interview the workers and managers and field observation) were used for data collection and analyisis.

Results
62/112 (55.3%) of workplaces having temperature exceeded the permitted value for temperature in summer. The temperature was highest in blasting inside the ship, block assembly, working inside the ship hold (34.0-35oC). In general, the temperature at workplaces was 1.0–2.5oC higher than outside. The impacts of heat to health were described as more and easy get tired, water loss, heat stress symptoms. Data from the company health station showed that there were 2 – 3 cases of heat stress (fainting) in hot season each year. Moreover, heat exposure may be a risk of accidents, especially for those who work on the deck, because this can lead to heat stress and fall from the height. Impacts of heat exposure on work and productivity showed that the working time is less in summer compared to in winter (working time in cells and hold was just only 2 hours per work shift compared to 4 hours in the winter); the paint work was only carried out in a very short time (8 - 9AM and 3:30 - 4:30PM) which is obviously affected productivity. Different methods were applied to reduce the effects of heat exposure to workers health.

Discussion
Heat exposure was really concerns in terms of health and productivity in shipyard work. Recommendations were made for a further and more in-depth study on this topic.