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Zahra Mousavi1 
, Sivash Etemadinezhad1 , Hesam Elahi1 , Hadi Ehsani1 , Abolfazl Hossein Nataj2 , Seyed Ehsan Samaei 3
, Sivash Etemadinezhad1 , Hesam Elahi1 , Hadi Ehsani1 , Abolfazl Hossein Nataj2 , Seyed Ehsan Samaei 3
1- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran
2- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran
3- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran ,samaeiehsan89@gmail.com
2- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran
3- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran ,
Abstract: (18 Views)
Background: Exposure to heat stress is considered one of the most prevalent occupational hazards affecting performance. This study was conducted with investigating heat stress and its impact on the physiological and cognitive functions of operational field workers at a power plant.
Methods: This study was conducted on 150 male power plant personnel with 41.34 ± 2.91 years (summer of 2023). Physiological parameters were measured. Assessment of heat stress (based on the WBGT index) and environmental monitoring were performed according to ISO 7243 standards. Also, cognitive performance was investigated using the Continuous Performance Test (CPT).
Results: Based on the results, individuals were exposed to heat stress conditions, and the average WBGT index at the workstations was reported as 31.50 ± 0.31 (above the standard limit). It was observed that all physiological indices in the exposed group increased significantly compared to the control (P < 0.05). The average commission and omission errors showed a significant difference between the non-exposure and exposure groups, Also, the reaction time in the presence of occupational heat differed significantly from the average reaction time in the absence of exposure (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: Based on this study results and given the importance of the power generation industry, exposure of employees to heat stress and the subsequent physiological and cognitive performance disorders can be of great significance in terms of health aspects and the occurrence of safety consequences. Therefore, attention to occupational exposures, the functional status of employees, and influencing factors as control and management strategies are necessary.
Methods: This study was conducted on 150 male power plant personnel with 41.34 ± 2.91 years (summer of 2023). Physiological parameters were measured. Assessment of heat stress (based on the WBGT index) and environmental monitoring were performed according to ISO 7243 standards. Also, cognitive performance was investigated using the Continuous Performance Test (CPT).
Results: Based on the results, individuals were exposed to heat stress conditions, and the average WBGT index at the workstations was reported as 31.50 ± 0.31 (above the standard limit). It was observed that all physiological indices in the exposed group increased significantly compared to the control (P < 0.05). The average commission and omission errors showed a significant difference between the non-exposure and exposure groups, Also, the reaction time in the presence of occupational heat differed significantly from the average reaction time in the absence of exposure (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: Based on this study results and given the importance of the power generation industry, exposure of employees to heat stress and the subsequent physiological and cognitive performance disorders can be of great significance in terms of health aspects and the occurrence of safety consequences. Therefore, attention to occupational exposures, the functional status of employees, and influencing factors as control and management strategies are necessary.
Type of Study: Orginal Article |
Subject:
● International Health
Received: 2024/02/18 | Accepted: 2024/07/9
Received: 2024/02/18 | Accepted: 2024/07/9
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