Thermal Stress

v Thermal Balance
v Heat Stress
v Cold Stress
Thermal Balance

n Model of Thermal Balance

n S––HEAT STORAGE RATE
¨ If the value for S is zero, the body is in thermal equilibrium, and heat gain
is balanced by loss from the body.
¨ If S is positive, the body is gaining heat at the rate indicated by the value
of S.
¨ If the value of S is negative, the body is losing heat, and body
temperature is decreasing.
n M––METABOLIC RATE
¨ Chemical reactions occur continuously inside the body. These serve to
sustain life (basal metabolism) and meet the demands of work (muscle
metabolism).
n W––EXTERNAL WORK RATE
¨W is the amount of energy that is successfully converted from internal
chemical energy to mechanical work on external objects. W is usually
about 10 percent of M.
n R––RADIANT HEAT EXCHANGE RATE (RADIATION)
¨ Solid bodies of different temperatures have a net heat flow from the hotter
surface to the cooler surface by electromagnetic radiation (primarily
infrared radiation). The rate of heat transfer by radiation depends on the
average temperature of the surrounding solid surfaces, skin temperature
and clothing.
n C––CONVECTIVE HEAT EXCHANGE RATE (CONVECTION)
¨ The exchange of heat between the skin and the surrounding air is
referred to as convection. The direction of heat flow depends on the
temperature difference between the skin and air. The rate of convective
heat exchange depends on the magnitude of the temperature difference,
the amount of air motion, and clothing.
n K––CONDUCTIVE HEAT EXCHANGE RATE (CONDUCTION)
¨ When two solid bodies are in contact, heat will flow from the
warmer body to the cooler body.
n CRESP––RATE OF CONVECTIVE HEAT EXCHANGE BY
RESPIRATION
¨ The fact that air is moved in and out of the lungs, which have a large surface
area, means there is an opportunity to gain or lose heat. The rate of heat
exchange depends on the air temperature and volume of air inhaled.
n ERESP––RATE OF EVAPORATIVE HEAT LOSS BY RESPIRATION
¨ The large surface area of the lungs provides an opportunity to lose heat by
evaporation. The rate of heat exchange depends on the air humidity and
volume of air inhaled.
n E––RATE OF EVAPORATIVE HEAT LOSS
¨ Sweat on the skin surface will absorb heat from the skin when evaporating
into the air. The process of evaporation cools the skin and in turn the body.
The rate of evaporative heat loss depends on the amount of sweating, air
movement, ambient humidity, and clothing.
Δ� = (� − �) ± � ± � − �
Very hot and very cold environments can
be dangerous to your health

• Acute

Heat
• Heat Stroke, Heat Syncope, Other heat illness
• Chronic
• Possible link to kidney, liver, heart , digestive
system, central nervous system & skin problems

• Acute
• Hypothermia, frostbite, trench foot

Cold • Chronic
• Respiratory and cardiovascular effects
Heat Stress
Heat & Humidity = Heat Index
Assessment of the Environmental Conditions
Wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT)
n The environmental factors that are central to the
assessment of heat stress are
¨ air temperature,
¨ humidity,
¨ air speed,
¨ and average temperature of the solid surroundings.

n How these factors are incorporated into the evaluation of

heat stress depend on the evaluation tool.
¨ Inside： ��
�� = 0.7T� �� + 0.3T�
¨ Outdoors： ��
�� = 0.7T� �� + 0.2T� + 0.1T� �
Assessment of the Environmental Conditions
Wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT)
n Wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) is an index of
environmental heat that is widely used to evaluate
industrial heat stress.
¨ Drybulb temperature (Tdb) is the direct measure of air
temperature. The temperature sensor is surrounded by air, which
is allowed to freely flow around the sensor.
¨ Naturalwet bulb temperature (Tnwb) is based on the degree
of evaporative cooling that can occur. In practice, a wetted
wick is placed around a temperature sensor and air is naturally
flow over the wick.
¨ Globe temperature (Tg) responds to radiant heat from the
solid surroundings and convective heat with the ambient air.
The globe temperature is classically measured using a six
inch, thin-walled, copper sphere, painted matte black on
the outside. The temperature sensor is placed at the center
of the globe.
Assessment of the Environmental Conditions
Wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT)

n In environments that are inside, in the shade, or on a

cloudy day, it is computed as：
¨ ��
� � = 0.7T� �� + 0.3T�
n Under conditions of direct sun light (outdoors and no
cloud cover), it is computed as:
¨ ��
� � = 0.7T� �� + 0.2T� + 0.1T� �
Heat Illness and
treatment
Heat Stress Illness
 高温疾病的种类Forms of Heat Illness

n Heat Fatigue 热疲劳

n Heat Rash 痱子
n Heat Cramps 热痉挛
n Heat Collapse -- Fainting 晕倒
n Heat Exhaustion 热衰竭（轻度中暑）
n Heat Stroke 中暑
 Heat Fatigue 高温导致的热疲劳

n 血液循环集中到皮肤表层
n 内部器官的供血减少
n 身体功能减退
n 协调性和警惕性降低
n 热疲劳的处理方式
¨ 在阴凉的地方休息
¨ 中断接触热量的工作
¨ 逐步适应高温的环境

3a
 Heat Rash 热痱

n 身体通过出汗达到降温的目的， 汗腺堵塞时，引起皮肤发炎，会产生不适的
皮疹-痱子。痱子可能导致感染。
n 这是身体对过热和过湿的反应
n 常出现于颈部、前胸、腹股沟、肘部出现红疙瘩或小水泡
n 热痱的处理
¨ 到凉爽的地方休息
¨ 皮肤保持干净干燥
¨ 就医，防止感染
¨ 定期洗澡

4a
 Heat Cramps 热痉挛

n Muscle spasms which usually affect the arms, legs or

stomach 肌肉痉挛通常影响手臂、大腿或胃部
n Cause: heavy sweating, especially when salt and potassium
is not replaced
n 原因：大量流汗，特别当盐分和钾离子没有正常代谢时

n Heat Cramp Treatment 热痉挛处理

• Move to cooler place 到凉爽的地方
• Rest in comfortable position 在舒适的区域休息
• Stretch cramped muscle 伸展痉挛的肌肉
• Drink fluids 喝饮料/水
 Heat Collapse -- Fainting
热虚脱（晕倒）
Also known as “fainting”
也叫做“晕倒”
Cause: the brain does not receive enough oxygen because blood pools in the
extremities
原因：血液聚集在手足等肢体末端引起大脑缺氧

晕倒的处理方式：
到阴凉处休息
适当活动，恢复供血平衡
逐渐返回高温作业岗位
 Heat Exhaustion 热衰竭（轻度中暑）
n Cause: Body’s internal air-conditioning system is overworked; surface
blood vessels and capillaries collapse from loss of body fluids and
necessary minerals
n 原因：身体内部的体温调节系统负荷太大，身体水分和矿物质流失导致体表
血管和毛细血管功能丧失。
n Symptoms: Headache, heavy sweating, intense thirst, dizziness, fatigue,
loss of coordination, nausea, impaired judgment, loss of appetite,
hyperventilation, tingling in hands or feet, anxiety, cool moist skin, weak
and rapid pulse, low to normal blood pressure
n 症状：头疼、大量流汗、严重口渴、眼花、疲劳、不协调、恶心、判断力下
降、无食欲、呼吸沉重、手足麻木、焦虑、皮肤湿冷、脉搏虚弱加速、血压
降低。
n 处理方式 Treatment
• Move to cooler place 到凉爽的地方
• Remove or loosen tight clothing 松开/解开衣服
• Apply cool, wet cloths 换上凉快的湿衣物
• Drink fluids 喝饮料/水
• Monitor for changes in condition 观察身体情况变化
 Heat Stroke 中暑
Life Threatening Illness with a High Death Rate!
威胁生命的高死亡率疾病

n Cause: Body has depleted its supply of water and salt; body
temperature rises to deadly levels
n 原因：身体耗尽了水分和盐分，体温上升到致命的程度
n Symptoms: High body temperature, distinct absence of
sweating, hot red or flushed dry skin, rapid pulse, difficulty
breathing, constricted pupils, high blood pressure.
n 症状：身体高温、不出汗、皮肤红热或红润干燥、脉搏迅速、呼
吸困难、瞳孔收缩、血压升高。
n 处理方式 Treatment
• Get medical attention immediately 立即就医
• Move to cooler place 到凉爽区域
• Quickly cool the body 快速使身体降温
• Monitor breathing 观察呼吸
• Do not give fluids 不要喝饮料/水
Heat Stress Illness
Acclimation
n Acclimation is the adaptation of the body to prolonged daily heat
stress exposures. The ability to work increases and the risk of heat
disorders decreases with acclimation.
n Acclimation is lost when there are no heat exposures. The loss is
accelerated when an illness occurs. The process should be
recognized and expectations adjusted. Workers will be able to work
better after several days of heat exposures and they should expect
less of themselves in the early days.
Specific Controls for Heat Stress
What can we do about hot conditions?

• Fix steam leaks and other heat/humidity

sources
• Work / Rest Cycle

•Isolate heat sources

Engineering •Insulate hot surfaces

•Cool air
•Targeted air showers

Controls •Ventilation with an adequate mix of outside air

•Fans?
•Misters?

• Training
Administrative Controls • Water & Bathroom breaks
• Acclimatization
• PPE Design

PPE
• Reduce weight of PPE
• Appropriate materials
• Cooling vortex on respirators
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/index.html
COLD STRESS
It’s not just the air temperature it’s the…
COLD STRESS
What can we do about cold conditions?

• Not Applicable

• Minimize air velocity

Engineering • Use wind deflectors and barriers
• Insulate metal handles and bars
Controls • Functioning exit apparatus on inside
doors

Administrative •• Training
Adequate breaks
Controls • Buddy System

PPE • PPE Design