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Document ID (ISN)111144
CIS number 10-0672
ISBN(s) 978-2-89631-302-0
Year 2008
Convention or series no. Etudes et Recherches Rapport R-580
Author(s) Dessureault P.C., Tellier A.
Title Auto-surveillance of the thermal stress of young workers assigned to hay storage
Original title L'autosurveillance de l'astreinte thermique des jeunes travailleurs affectés à l'engrangement du foin [in French]
Bibliographic information Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2008. v, 50p. Illus. 68 ref. Price: CAD 7.35. Downloadable version (PDF format) free of charge.
Internet access Rapport_R-580.pdf [in French]
Abstract Observations of young workers assigned to hay storage have confirmed extremely high levels of heat stress. Occupational safety and health regulations recommend using the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) to measure heat stress. However, this index is difficult to apply in an agricultural environment, mainly because it requires specialized knowledge and instruments. This study investigated the feasibility of applying an auto-surveillance program intended for young workers. The experiments carried out among these workers have shown that they can ensure their own safety if they monitor their level of heat stress by means of a cardiofrequency meter measuring their heart rate. However, employers must also provide them with the appropriate beverages, encourage them to take breaks and supply them with all the necessary information about their working in hot environments.
Descriptors (primary) hot workplaces; agricultural operations; heat load; young persons; agriculture
Descriptors (secondary) Canada; heart rate monitoring; reliability; workers' participation; WBGT index; report; description of technique
Document type E - Books, reports, proceedings
Subject(s) Agriculture, fishing, animal husbandry
Occupational physiology
Heating, ventilation and climate
Broad subject area(s) Industries and occupations
Physical hazards
Physiology, ergonomics
Browse category(ies) Heat and cold
Agriculture