Abstract

Background: Heat Stress and strains are major workplace hazards. A wide range of complications and diseases are createdin the absence of control. Aim: To investigate the heat stresses and strains for a five-hour working at the refinery and administrative unit of Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex in Kerman, Iran. Methods: This study was conducted on 30 refinery workers (exposed) and 30 employees of the administrative unit (unexposed) at the Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex in Kerman, Iran. Physiological parameters (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, oral temperature), environmental parameters (relative humidity, dry temperature, higher temperature, radiant temperature) and WBGT, PSI, DI indexes were measured for5 hours. Results: The results showed that the averageheat stress index ofall working hours was significantly different in the two groups. The heat strain index was significantly higher in the refinery inall hours (except 11:45). The mean score of physiological and environmental parameters for all working hours in 2 groups was statistically significant. Conclusion: Considering the direct and significant correlation between WBGT, PSI, DI indexes, their simultaneous use in large industries (more than 1000 workers) is suggesteddue to quick and accurate evaluation of the health status of workers and workplace conditions.