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Overview of heat stress among waste abatement workers.

Belard JL; Stanevich RL

Appl Occup Environ Hyg 1995 Nov; 10(11):903-907

https://doi.org/10.1080/1047322X.1995.10387710

00230180

Factors which contribute to the heat stress risk in waste abatement workers included, working outside with high ambient temperatures and solar radiation exposure, high levels of energy expenditure, the use of totally encapsulating chemical protective clothing, and the physiological burden of using self contained breathing apparatus. The magnitude of the heat stress problem in the construction industry in general, and in waste abatement in particular, was discussed. When environmental heat load and metabolic heat production together exceed the capacity of the body to maintain normal functions, heat stress will occur. Conditions likely to be a factor in heat stress include high ambient air temperature, high humidity, high radiative heat, and absence of air movement. Thermoregulatory responses to heat were described. The consequences of environmental heat exposure in workers was considered. Safe work practices for waste abatement workers were discussed, and current research findings were reviewed.

NIOSH-Author; Heat-stress; Personal-protective-equipment; Protective-clothing; Physiological-stress; Body-temperature; Respiratory-protective-equipment; Construction-industry; Waste-disposal; Climatic-factors; Hazardous-waste-cleanup

AOEHE9

19951101

Journal Article

Moran-JB

1996

11

1047-322X

DSR

Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

WV