Assessment of Hot Environment in Foundry Industry using Modified Heat Stress Index

Abstract

Indian foundry industry being one of the highest contributors where workers are exposed to varied health hazards attributed to fumes, dusts, gases, heat, noise, vibration and radiation. In step with the connection between atmosphere temperature and human thermal balance, living environments higher than 35°C or operating environments higher than 32°C were considered as hot environments. In hot-dry work place, workers exposed to extreme heat can experience occupation illness and injuries such as heat stress including heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rashes. Heat stress occurs when a person’s environment, clothing and activity interact to produce a tendency for body temperature to rise. The body’s thermoregulatory system then responds in order to increase heat loss. This response may be powerful and effective however it produces a strain on the body that leads to discomfort and eventually to heat illness and even death. Therefore, it is vital to assess hot environments to ensure the health and safety of workers. Hence, this analysis focused on assessment of hot environment in foundry industry where workers using modified Heat Stress Index (HSI) are exposed to extreme heat. The results of this study show average modified HSI was 51.5. This finding exhibited; this is due to physical activity, improper selection of clothing and prolonged exposure to heat during furnace operations.