An experimental study on the prediction of heat stress of workers in a hot environment: With special reference to the relation between wearing suits, work load and environmental temperature

Hardly any practical approaches have been made on prediction of appearance of heat-stress hazard, although basic studies have extensively been made, including various heat-stress indices. Hence, in the present paper, an applicational prediction equation is presented with regard to the permissible working time without heat-stress hazard on the basis of experimental results. The purpose of this experiment was to examine the significant correlations between elevated rectal temperature, working conditions such as wearing suits, work load, and environmental temperature. The results obtained can be summarized as follows. (1) A critical level of environmental temperature exists. When this level is exceeded, physiological indices such as rectal temperature rapidly increased. According to experimental results, the critical level was about 30°C and the heavier the work load, the lower was the critical level. (2) Moreover, the heavier the wearing suit, the lower became the temperature level. This finding indicated that it was important to choose a suitable apparel under a hot environment in order to keep the workers safe from heat-stress hazard. (3) A general prediction equation of raising the level of rectal temperature compared with that of initial condition was proposed by analysing each experimental condition (suit, work load, and environmental temperature) by use of second order multiple regression method. This equation showed that elevation of rectal temperature was assumed to be proportional to the logarithm of the working periods. (4) The predicted values by this equation corresponded with the experimental values within ±0.2-0.3°C, and the correlation coefficient was 0.96. This equation suggests that heavier suits elevated the rectal temperature about 2-3°C when the work load and environmental temperature were moderate. (5) It is possible to predict the permissible working period by this equation. This may be applied to the working plan effectively. Appropriate working conditions can be chosen with regard to apparel, environmental temperature, and work load.