Recent study highlights cold exposure risks for Arctic outdoor workers

Outdoor workers are essential to the functioning of Arctic communities, maintaining vital services despite harsh climates. A newly published study in the International Journal of Circumpolar Health by Rebecca Tapper and colleagues shed light on the challenges faced by outdoor workers in Arctic regions, particularly in northern Sweden. Conducted by researchers from Umeå University in collaboration with UiT The Arctic University of Norway, and University of Oulu, this study highlights the significant cold exposure endured by workers in preschool, park and maintenance, and power grid sectors.

This study revealed that one-third of participants often or always felt cold at work. On average, outdoor workers spend more than two hours per day in temperatures below 10°C. Power grid workers experienced the longest exposure, averaging four hours daily, while preschool workers reported the shortest exposure at 1.5 hours. Despite these conditions, 39% of workers felt they lacked adequate knowledge about cold protection.

Key findings:

• Prevalence of Cold discomfort: 75% of workers reported feeling cold at least sometimes during work, with women more likely to report discomfort than men.
• Role of Physical Activity: Movement, such as walking, helped reduce discomfort, but standing still for prolonged periods—common across all occupations—worsened the sensation of cold.
• Aggravating factors: Wind, moisture, and handling cold objects were identified as key contributors to cold discomfort, in addition to low temperatures.
• Gender Differences: Women tended to report feeling colder than men, even though their average exposure time was shorter, underscoring the need for gender-sensitive protective measures.

The study emphasizes the urgent need for improved cold risk management, including tailored protective clothing, targeted training, and policies that address both individual and occupational differences. The researchers also stress the importance of considering gender-specific needs to ensure effective protection for all workers.

Original publication can be found here

Tapper R, Pettersson H, Stjernbrandt A, Ikäheimo TM, Wahlström J. Cold exposure among outdoor workers in the Arctic setting. Int J Circumpolar Health. 2025 Dec;84(1):2561278. doi: 10.1080/22423982.2025.2561278. Epub 2025 Sep 23.