Heat Stress Assessment in Outdoor Workplaces of a Hot Arid Climate Based on Meteorological Data: A Case Study in Qom, Iran

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

1 Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Medicine, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Occupational Health,, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran

4 Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, khorasan razavi, Iran

5 Head of Engineering and Meteorological Equipment of Qom, Qom, Iran

Abstract

Aims: The aim of the present research was to assess the occupational heat stress using WBGT and ESI indexes in outdoor workplaces of the Qom province as a hot-arid climate based on meteorological data.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed based on meteorological data of the Qom meteorological stations in 2013 (from June to September). Environmental parameters including dry temperature, dry soil surface temperature, solar radiation, relative humidity and air velocity were measured every 10 minutes from 7 am to 7 pm. The WBGT index based on the formula provided by the Australian Meteorological Organization was prepared and the ESI index was calculated based on the formula proposed by Moran.

Results: The mean WBGT and ESI were 27oC and 25.58oC, respectively.
The maximum value of WBGT (28.59 oC) was recorded between 15 pm to 16 pm and the maximum value of ESI (27.49 oC) was measured between 14 and 15 pm. According to the independent sample-T-test, ESI and WBGT was significantly higher in July than its values in the other months (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The weather conditions in hot seasons are not suitable for outdoor workplaces with heavy workloads and the administrative and engineering control measures should be considered seriously.

Keywords

Journal of Military Medicine
Volume 17, Issue 2 - Serial Number 60
September and October 2015
Pages 89-95

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