The human body has a core temperature of ~37 °C. Core body temperatures can be exceeded under certain circumstances with selected populations, environmental and physiologic monitoring and other controls. However, if normal core temperature changes by more than +/- 2 °C this can cause serious health effects.
What is Heat Stress?
Heat stress refers to the net heat load which an operative may be exposed to from a combination of metabolic heat, environmental factors (radiant and air temperature, relative humidity and air velocity) and clothing requirements. Mild to moderate heat stress may cause operator discomfort and affect performance but is not harmful to health.
And Heat Strain?
Heat strain is the overall physiological response resulting from heat stress, these physiological responses are related to dissipating excess heat from the body. Heat strain is imposed by the working environment (a combination of the radiant and air temperature, relative humidity and air velocity).
More so than any other physical agent, the potential health hazards from working in a hot environment is strongly dependent on physiological factors that lead to a range of susceptibilities depending on the level of acclimatization’s. It is particularly important that professional judgement is used in the assessment of heat stress and physiological heat strain to provide guidance for protecting healthy workers with considerations of individual workers and the type of work undertaken.
Thermal Comfort
Thermal comfort is defined as that condition of mind which expresses satisfaction with the thermal environment. It is accepted that it is not possible to keep everyone in the workplace happy with the thermal environment, but keeping at least 80% of staff satisfied is considered to be an achievable target by the HSE. The percentage of staff satisfied with their thermal comfort can be predicted using a standard assessment method which takes into account of 6 different parameters which are independent of each other, but together contribute to a worker’s thermal comfort.
Validate’s Approach
Validate Consulting can conduct workplace assessments to assess risk of heat stress, strain and also thermal comfort to help predict satisfaction levels in office buildings and factories.
Get in touch with Validate Consulting, on 01246 541951, or fill in our enquiry form to discuss your requirements.