Work

Estimating Occupational Heat Exposure From Personal Sampling of Public Works Employees in Birmingham, Alabama

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether using thermometers clipped on workers' shoes would result in different heat exposure estimation and work-rest schedules compared with using area-level meteorological data alone. METHODS: Alabama workers (n = 51) were individually monitored using thermometers on shoes. Wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) was estimated using thermometer temperatures (WBGT [personal]) or nearby weather station temperatures (WBGT [WS]). Work-rest schedules were determined from WBGT, clothing, and hourly metabolic rates estimated from self-reported tasks and bodyweight. RESULTS: The percent of hours exceeding the threshold limit value (TLV, ACGIH, Cincinnati, OH) were estimated at 47.8% using WBGT (personal) versus 42.1% using WBGT (WS). For work-rest recommendations, more hours fell into the most protective schedule (0 to 15 min work/45 to 60 min rest) using WBGT (personal) versus WBGT (WS) (17.4% vs 14.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Temperatures from wearable thermometers, together with meteorological data, can serve as an additional method to identify occupational heat stress exposure and recommend work-rest schedules.

Source: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000001604