Course Description:
Recorded at AIHce EXP 2023
Workers in many industries are required to perform work in high heat conditions. These tasks can lead from rapid increases in body temperature to heat-related illness and even death. Traditionally, an effort to mitigate work-related heat injury has been directed toward environmental heat stress assessment (e.g., WGBT), and not toward the physiological responses (e.g., heart rate, core temperatures). A worker's physiological response to given heat stress is modified by: a) inter-individual factors (e.g., age, sex, chronic disease); b) intra-individual factors (e.g., medication use, fitness, acclimation, hydration state); and c) factors beyond a worker's control (e.g., shift duration, illness). The challenge now is to include physiological responses in heat stress assessments. Recent advancements in wearable technology have made it possible to monitor one or more physiological indices of heat strain. This education session will describe: 1) the use of physiological monitoring with in maritime, construction, and general industry; 2) the uses and limitations of physiological monitoring; 3) current regulatory recommendations; and 4) engaging and empowering workers in the heat stress assessment process.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the session, the participant will be able to:
• Illustrate the current OSHA regulations using Wet Bulb Globe Thermometer (WBGT) and recommendations.
• Describe how physiological monitoring helps engage employees in hazard assessments.
• Determine the proper uses and limitations of physiological monitoring devices.
• Show how heat monitoring can improve the safety, quality, productivity, and cost-effectiveness of operations.
• Demonstrate how physiological monitoring can assist with unacclimatized workers performing new tasks.
Contact Hours:
1
Presentation Date:
05/24/2023
Presenters:
Stephanie Lynch, PhD
Donald Elswick, CIH, CSP, CHMM, CIT
