農業工作者高氣溫熱危害之文獻調查與整理

A Literature Review on Heat Hazards of High Temperatures Among Agricultural Workers

隨著氣候變遷導致極端高溫事件日益頻繁，農業戶外工作者面臨的熱危害風險持續升高，成為全球職業健康領域的重要議題。農業工作者長時間暴露於高溫、高濕環境，且常從事劇烈的體力勞動，使其成為最易受熱中暑、熱衰竭、熱痙攣與慢性腎病等熱相關疾病影響的高危險群。
為了提供國內未來農業戶外高氣溫熱危害預防之參考依據，本研究透過文獻回顧，分析臺灣與國際上農業工作者之高氣溫暴露現況、熱相關健康效應與防護措施，綜合生理機轉、作業型態與社會制度面向，探討熱危害對農業工作者健康與工作能力的實際影響。結果顯示，戶外農業工作者若處於高綜合溫度熱指數的情境下，無論在熱壓力、創傷性傷害或腎功能損傷等風險上皆顯著上升；其中，以甘蔗、稻米與蔬果採收等作業尤為嚴重，而熱危害亦直接導致農業生產力下降。針對上述問題，國際間已發展多項熱危害防護策略，包括行政控制、工程控制，以及個人防護具選用等，可有效降低了急性腎損傷與中暑風險。
本研究綜合文獻整理之後建議，臺灣可參考國際案例，發展適合本地農業作業環境之熱危害預防技術指引與政策工具，包含彈性作業排程、勞工熱壓力監測機制、教育訓練標準化以及針對不同作業型態與族群之差異化對應方案等，藉以促進戶外農業工作者健康權益與農業永續發展。

With climate change leading to increasingly frequent extreme heat events, the risk of heat hazards faced by outdoor agricultural workers continues to rise, becoming a significant issue in the field of global occupational health. In this study, the term“heat hazards”broadly refers to both environmental heat exposure and its resulting adverse health outcomes, collectively known as“heat-related illnesses”. Agricultural workers are often exposed to high-temperature, high-humidity environments for extended periods while engaging in strenuous physical labor, making them a high-risk group for heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and chronic kidney disease.
To provide a reference for future prevention of high-temperature heat hazards among outdoor agricultural workers in Taiwan, this study conducted a literature review analyzing the current situation of high-temperature exposure, heat-related health effects, and protective measures for agricultural workers in Taiwan and internationally. Integrating physiological mechanisms, work patterns, and social systems, the study examined the actual impacts of heat hazards on the health and work capacity of agricultural laborers. The results showed that when outdoor agricultural workers are exposed to high Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) conditions, risks of heat stress, traumatic injuries, and kidney function impairment all increase significantly; sugarcane, rice, and fruit/vegetable harvesting operations are particularly severe. Heat hazards, encompassing both the physical stress of high temperatures and the resulting heat-related illnesses, also directly contribute to declines in agricultural productivity. In response to these issues, various international heat hazard prevention strategies have been developed, including administrative controls, engineering controls, and the use of personal protective equipment, all of which can effectively reduce the risks of acute kidney injury and heatstroke.
Based on the literature review, this study suggests that Taiwan can draw on international experience to develop heat hazard prevention guidelines and policy tools tailored to local agricultural work environments. These may include flexible work scheduling, worker heat stress monitoring mechanisms, standardized training programs, and differentiated measures for various work types and populations, thereby promoting outdoor workers’health rights and ensuring sustainable agricultural development.