Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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Evaluation of Heat Stress and Comparison of Heat Stress Indices in Outdoor Work

옥외 작업에서의 온열환경 평가 및 온열지수 비교

  • Kim, Yangho (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Oh, Inbo (Environmental Health Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Jiho (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Jaehoon (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Chung, In-Sung (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Dongsan Medical Center of Keimyung University) ;
  • Lim, Hak-Jae (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Dongsan Medical Center of Keimyung University) ;
  • Park, Jung-Keun (Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, KOSHA) ;
  • Park, Jungsun (Department of Occupational Health, Catholic University of Daegu)
  • 김양호 (울산대의대 울산대병원 직업환경의학과) ;
  • 오인보 (울산대의대 환경보건센터) ;
  • 이지호 (울산대의대 울산대병원 직업환경의학과) ;
  • 김재훈 (울산대의대 울산대병원 직업환경의학과) ;
  • 정인성 (계명대의대 직업환경의학과) ;
  • 임학재 (계명대의대 직업환경의학과) ;
  • 박정근 (한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원) ;
  • 박정선 (대구가톨릭대학교 산업보건학과)
  • Received : 2015.12.21
  • Accepted : 2016.03.10
  • Published : 2016.04.29
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Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess heat stress, compare heat stress indices, and evaluate the usefulness of wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) among outdoor workers exposed to heat during the summer season. Methods: WBGT, dry temperature, and heat index were measured using WBGT measurers (QUESTemp 32 model and QUESTemp 34 model, QUEST, WI, USA) by industrial hygienists from August 27 to September 16, 2015. Heat stress indices were measured at the workplaces of a shipbuilder in Ulsan and a construction site in Daegu. The dry temperature observed by the Automated Synoptic Observing System (ASOS) of the Korea Meteorological Administration was also compared. Results: Dry temperature measured by WBGT is different from that by ASOS. The temperature obtained from ASOS was less than $33^{\circ}C$, above which point a heat wave is forecast by the Korea Meteorological Administration. A heat index above $32.8^{\circ}C$ as a moderate risk was not observed during measurement. WBGT was consistently higher than $22^{\circ}C$, above which the risk of heat-related illness is increased in unacclimated workers involved in work with a high metabolic rate. WBGT was sometimes higher than $28^{\circ}C$, above which the risk of heat-related illness is increased in acclimated workers involved in work with a moderate metabolic rate in September. Conclusion: According to the measurement of heat stress indices, WBGT was more sensitive than heat index and temperature. Thus, general measures to prevent heat-related diseases should be implemented in workplaces during the summer season according to WBGT.

Keywords

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