Safety and Health at Work Vol. 12 Issue 1 2021
Climate Warming and Occupational Heat and Hot Environment Standards in Thailand (Original Article)
Dublin Core
Title
Safety and Health at Work Vol. 12 Issue 1 2021
Climate Warming and Occupational Heat and Hot Environment Standards in Thailand (Original Article)
Climate Warming and Occupational Heat and Hot Environment Standards in Thailand (Original Article)
Subject
construction, foundry, hot environment, standard, WBGT
Description
Background: During the period 2001 to 2016, the maximum temperatures in Thailand rose from 38-41o C to 42-44o C. The current occupational heat exposure standard of Thailand issued in 2006 is based on wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) defined for three workload levels without a workerest regimen. This study examined whether the present standard still protects most workers.
Methods: The sample comprised 168 heat acclimatized workers (90 in construction sites, 78 in
foundries). Heart rate and auditory canal temperature were recorded continuously for 2 hours. Workplace WBGT, relative humidity, and wind velocity were monitored, and the participants' workloads were estimated. Heat-related symptoms and signs were collected by a questionnaire.
Results: Only 55% of the participants worked in workplaces complying with the heat standard. Of them, 79% had auditory canal temperature 38.5o
C, compared with only 58% in noncompliant workplaces. 18% and 43% of the workers in compliant and noncompliant workplaces, respectively, had symptoms from heat stress, the trend being similar across all workload levels. An increase of one degree (C) in WBGT was associated with a 1.85-fold increase (95% confidence interval: 1.44-2.48) in odds for having symptoms.
Conclusion: Compliance with the current occupational heat standard protects 4/5 of the workers, whereas noncompliance reduces this proportion to one half. The reasons for noncompliance include the gaps and ambiguities in the law. The law should specify work/rest schedules; outdoor work should be identified as an occupational heat hazard; and the staff should include occupational personnel to manage
heat stress in establishments involving heat exposure.
Methods: The sample comprised 168 heat acclimatized workers (90 in construction sites, 78 in
foundries). Heart rate and auditory canal temperature were recorded continuously for 2 hours. Workplace WBGT, relative humidity, and wind velocity were monitored, and the participants' workloads were estimated. Heat-related symptoms and signs were collected by a questionnaire.
Results: Only 55% of the participants worked in workplaces complying with the heat standard. Of them, 79% had auditory canal temperature 38.5o
C, compared with only 58% in noncompliant workplaces. 18% and 43% of the workers in compliant and noncompliant workplaces, respectively, had symptoms from heat stress, the trend being similar across all workload levels. An increase of one degree (C) in WBGT was associated with a 1.85-fold increase (95% confidence interval: 1.44-2.48) in odds for having symptoms.
Conclusion: Compliance with the current occupational heat standard protects 4/5 of the workers, whereas noncompliance reduces this proportion to one half. The reasons for noncompliance include the gaps and ambiguities in the law. The law should specify work/rest schedules; outdoor work should be identified as an occupational heat hazard; and the staff should include occupational personnel to manage
heat stress in establishments involving heat exposure.
Creator
Wantanee Phanprasit, Kannikar Rittaprom, Sumitra Dokkem, Aronrag C. Meeyai, Vorakamol Boonyayothin, Jouni J.K. Jaakkola, Simo Näyhä
Publisher
Elsevier Korea LLC
Date
March 2021
Contributor
Sri Wahyuni
Format
PDF
Language
English
Type
Text
Coverage
Safety and Health at Work Vol. 12 Issue 1 2021
Files
Citation
Wantanee Phanprasit, Kannikar Rittaprom, Sumitra Dokkem, Aronrag C. Meeyai, Vorakamol Boonyayothin, Jouni J.K. Jaakkola, Simo Näyhä , “Safety and Health at Work Vol. 12 Issue 1 2021
Climate Warming and Occupational Heat and Hot Environment Standards in Thailand (Original Article),” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 26, 2025, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/2072.
Climate Warming and Occupational Heat and Hot Environment Standards in Thailand (Original Article),” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 26, 2025, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/2072.