Investigations Of Heat Stress Parameters Onfoundries Workers Productivity

Abstract

The aimof this study is to measure the workplace heat stress in different sections of the foundries. The study was carried out in ALBYAN foundries. The heat is measured infurnace worker site, casting site, molds forming site, iron gathering point,power worker point , arm worker, crane worker, worker waiting point and finishing pointmeasuring the dry bulb temperature(TDB °C), wet bulb temperature(TWB °C), globe temperature(TG °C), wet bulb globe temperature(WBGT °C), and the relative humidity(RH%) at the work places. Extremely high levels of WBGT index was found in arm workerwith an average of 29.77 °C followed by 29.13 °C in power worker point. The mean WBGT mean values obtained in other sections were26.67 °C in crane worker, 24.18°C in furnace worker,24.14°C in worker waiting point,23.17°C in Iron gathering point,22.93°C in finishing point , 22.73°C in iron ore area, 22.70°C in molds forming site and 22.65°C in casting site. The mean WBGT index levels are significantly higher in near the arm worker, power worker point,crane worker and furnace worker.The prescribed standard threshold limit value (TLV) of WBGT level was high in near the arm worker, power worker point, crane worker and furnace worker. The values of equivalent noise levels were under control as per OSHA guidelines in all the process sections. The heat may increase the health risk of worker with reduce the efficiency and consequently affect the production of the unit. The recommendations should be taken as indicative of stress areas and workers should be under constant medical supervision.