Quantitative Assessment of the Adaptive Capacity in Outdoor Workplaces: A Case Study of Open Pit Mines in Tehran Province

Abstract

Background: Outdoor workers in Iran, particularly those employed in open-pit mining, face significant health risks due to prolonged exposure to extreme heat. This challenge is exacerbated by limited access to healthcare, welfare resources, and protective infrastructure. This study aims to evaluate the adaptive capacity of outdoor work environments to mitigate heat stress and enhance worker well-being.
Methods: The research employed a mixed-methods approach comprised of three phases. First, we identified effective criteria for adaptive capacity through a Delphi study involving 15 occupational health experts. This process defined key indicators such as shaded rest areas, social security coverage, and training programs. In the second phase, the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) was utilized to prioritize these criteria, revealing that institutional support (weight: 0.42) and thermal protection infrastructure (weight: 0.35) were the most critical factors. The final phase involved a field evaluation of six open-pit mines using a validated 25-item checklist. Adaptive Capacity scores were calculated on a scale from 0 to 1, integrating observational data and interviews with 127 workers.
Results: The findings highlighted significant systemic gaps in the surveyed mines. Notably, four out of six mines lacked shaded rest areas, and only two provided cooling stations. Job satisfaction varied markedly among workers, ranging from 17% in the Alooaak mine to 71% in the Kohan Madan mine, correlating with social security coverage, which was present in 100% of workers in four mines but absent in others. Furthermore, none of the mines implemented administrative controls for heat stress or conducted regular training for employees. The Adaptive Capacity scores ranged from 9% in the Faraj Abad mine to 45% in the Kohan Madan mine, indicating a concerning inadequacy in preparedness for climate-driven heat extremes.
Conclusion: The critically low average adaptive capacity score of 27% underscores an urgent need for targeted interventions. Recommendations include mandating shaded zones, hydration stations, and heat-risk training for workers. Additionally, policy reforms should integrate adaptive capacity metrics into national occupational safety regulations. By addressing disparities in social security and job satisfaction through participatory planning, this study provides a replicable framework to benchmark thermal resilience in high-risk industries globally.