What health concern should be prioritized for workers traveling to high elevations from sea level?

When workers travel to high elevations from sea level, hypoxia is the primary health concern that should be prioritized. Hypoxia occurs when there is insufficient oxygen available to meet the body’s needs, which can be particularly pronounced at high altitudes where atmospheric pressure decreases and oxygen levels in the air are lower. As elevation increases, the body requires time to acclimatize to the reduced oxygen, and if workers ascend too quickly, they may experience symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, and in severe cases, life-threatening conditions like high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) or high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE).

While dehydration, hypothermia, and heat exhaustion can also pose risks to workers in specific conditions, they are not the most immediate concern with elevation changes. Dehydration can occur due to lower humidity and increased respiratory water loss at high elevations, but it is secondary to the issues posed by reduced oxygen availability. Hypothermia is a risk in cold environments but is not directly related to high altitude unless the temperature drops significantly. Heat exhaustion typically arises in hot environments, which is less relevant in discussions about high-altitude work. Thus, hypoxia stands out as the critical health issue requiring attention for workers transitioning to high elevations.