Work clothing and cold sensitivity among poultry workers in Thailand: differences between subgroups

Abstract

Objectives. Cold-related adversities among poultry workers in Thailand vary by subgroup, but the impact of clothing insulation (Icl) is not well understood. Methods. The authors interviewed 283 poultry workers and compared Icl values across subgroups, adjusting for confounding factors. Results. The average worksite temperature was 3.8 °C, with average Icl of 1.23 clo. After adjustments, Icl was 0.38 clo lower in office workers compared to other job categories, and 0.11 clo lower in workers with the highest body mass index (37.5) compared to those with the lowest (15.6). Icl was 0.08 clo higher in the oldest workers (age 57 years) compared to the youngest (age 18 years), 0.07 clo higher among weekly alcohol consumers compared to non-consumers, 0.06 clo higher in women than in men and 0.04 clo higher among those engaged in light compared to heavy work. Perceiving temperatures >0 °C as cold was associated with an increase of 0.22 clo in Icl. Conclusions. Office workers should wear more clothing. Relatively high Icl values observed in some subgroups suggest sensitivity to cold, warranting further individual examination to determine optimal Icl levels. Targeting preventive measures at vulnerable worker groups in Thailand’s poultry industry could reduce the burden of cold-related harm.