Occupational exposure to uncomfortable temperatures in two university presses of Costa Rica

 

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Arce Espinoza, Lourdes, Mónge-Najera, Julián
Formato: artículo original
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de Publicación:2011
Descripción:Many industrial processes are carried out under conditions of high temperatures, creating discomfort among workers, and less frequently, a health risk, especially when heat is combined with poor ventilation and a lack of medical supervision. This problem has seldom been studied in Latin America, so this study measured the occupational exposure to overheating in workstations from the printing shops of two university publishers in a tropical city (San José, Costa Rica). We measured heat conditions in 55 workstations using a thermo-anemometer and a heat stress meter, both calibrated and certified. Workers use the workstations during the day but have several interruptions and we concluded that, even though there is a high percentage of dissatisfaction among workers regarding the temperature (50% to 80%), there is no risk of heat stress. To reduce the reported level of discomfort, we recommend that new workers be allowed an acclimation period and modification of rooms to allow more natural ventilation. Similar studies are needed in other Latin American countries, if our data are to be compared in a meaningful way.
País:Portal de Revistas UNED
Institución:Universidad Estatal a Distancia
Repositorio:Portal de Revistas UNED
Lenguaje:Español
OAI Identifier:oai:revistas.investiga.uned.ac.cr:article/205
Acceso en línea:https://revistas.uned.ac.cr/index.php/cuadernos/article/view/205
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Occupational health
heat stress
thermal comfort
occupational exposure to high temperatures.
Salud ocupacional
estrés térmico
comodidad térmica
exposición ocupacional a altas temperaturas.