Page 159 - Petelin, Ana, Nejc Šarabon, Boštjan Žvanut, eds. 2017. Zdravje delovno aktivne populacije ▪︎ Health of the Working-Age Population. Proceedings. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press
P. 159
e does not fall below 20°C), which have a negative effect on sleeping and re-
generation after a hot day.
The 5-year Heat-Shield project has started in 2016, so it is at the end of
its first stage, analyzing current working conditions in the five sectors. Heat
stress is readily associated with high environmental temperatures and humidi-
ties (Bernard and Cross, 1999), so WBGT (Wet Bulb Globe Temperature) index
has been chosen as the most appropriate one to describe working conditions
(Gao et al., 2017) and will be used for monitoring, climate change projections
and monthly forecasts. Some measurements of conditions in the manufactur-
ing plant are presented, followed by results of heat stress survey among work-
ers at various workplaces.
Methods slovenian workers – is it too hot to work? 157
Air temperatures are measured every 15 minutes at several workplaces in the
manufacturing plant near Celje at 1.5 and 0.05 m height along with relative hu-
midity at 1.5 m. Measurements are carried out by Jozef Stefan Institute. Tem-
perature and relative humidity data for 1 August to 20 August 2016 from one
sensor at 1.5 m were used (the others have not work during last summer yet).
WBGT index [°C] is calculated using Lemke and Kjellstrom (2012) formula-
tion, following Bernard and Pourmoghani (1999). For in shadow/indoor condi-
tions air temperature (Ta [°C]) and dew point temperature (Td [°C]); calculat-
ed from relative humidity) is used:
WBGT=0,67T_pwb+0,33T_a,
wtiohnesrewTiptwhb is a psychrometric wet bulb temperature (artificially created condi-
a wind speed of 3-5 m/s), determined by iteration from air and dew
point temperature (equations in McPherson (2008)). Air temperatures at mete-
orological station Celje for the same period were obtained from Slovenian En-
vironmental Agency.
Survey about heat stress at work, symptoms, health problems and their
own solutions were made in the year 2016 among 808 workers using compre-
hensive questionnaires. Half of them are employed in manufacturing plant,
28% in agriculture (not necessarily their only financial source), 15% of partic-
ipants work mainly in office (publishing house or Biotechnical Faculty), and
7% of them are tourist guides. Office workers were included for comparison al-
though they do not belong in any of five sectors addressed by Heat-Shield. Men
are prevailing only among agricultural workers (62%), and women in other
groups (65% in manufacturing plant and offices, 52% in tourist guides). Groups
are age-homogenous: 25% under 30 years old, 29% from 31 to 40 years, 25% from
41 to 50 years, and 21% over 50 years old.
generation after a hot day.
The 5-year Heat-Shield project has started in 2016, so it is at the end of
its first stage, analyzing current working conditions in the five sectors. Heat
stress is readily associated with high environmental temperatures and humidi-
ties (Bernard and Cross, 1999), so WBGT (Wet Bulb Globe Temperature) index
has been chosen as the most appropriate one to describe working conditions
(Gao et al., 2017) and will be used for monitoring, climate change projections
and monthly forecasts. Some measurements of conditions in the manufactur-
ing plant are presented, followed by results of heat stress survey among work-
ers at various workplaces.
Methods slovenian workers – is it too hot to work? 157
Air temperatures are measured every 15 minutes at several workplaces in the
manufacturing plant near Celje at 1.5 and 0.05 m height along with relative hu-
midity at 1.5 m. Measurements are carried out by Jozef Stefan Institute. Tem-
perature and relative humidity data for 1 August to 20 August 2016 from one
sensor at 1.5 m were used (the others have not work during last summer yet).
WBGT index [°C] is calculated using Lemke and Kjellstrom (2012) formula-
tion, following Bernard and Pourmoghani (1999). For in shadow/indoor condi-
tions air temperature (Ta [°C]) and dew point temperature (Td [°C]); calculat-
ed from relative humidity) is used:
WBGT=0,67T_pwb+0,33T_a,
wtiohnesrewTiptwhb is a psychrometric wet bulb temperature (artificially created condi-
a wind speed of 3-5 m/s), determined by iteration from air and dew
point temperature (equations in McPherson (2008)). Air temperatures at mete-
orological station Celje for the same period were obtained from Slovenian En-
vironmental Agency.
Survey about heat stress at work, symptoms, health problems and their
own solutions were made in the year 2016 among 808 workers using compre-
hensive questionnaires. Half of them are employed in manufacturing plant,
28% in agriculture (not necessarily their only financial source), 15% of partic-
ipants work mainly in office (publishing house or Biotechnical Faculty), and
7% of them are tourist guides. Office workers were included for comparison al-
though they do not belong in any of five sectors addressed by Heat-Shield. Men
are prevailing only among agricultural workers (62%), and women in other
groups (65% in manufacturing plant and offices, 52% in tourist guides). Groups
are age-homogenous: 25% under 30 years old, 29% from 31 to 40 years, 25% from
41 to 50 years, and 21% over 50 years old.
