Documents cold workplace 13 results

"Que ce soit à l'extérieur ou à l'intérieur des locaux, la température du lieu de travail influe sur le confort des opérateurs. Si elle est particulièrement élevée ou basse, ce sont la santé et la sécurité de chacun qui peuvent être mises en jeu. La maîtrise des ambiances thermiques et de l'organisation à mettre en place joue alors un rôle essentiel dans la prévention des risques professionnels.A la fin du mois de juin 2015, une vague de chaleur frappait la France, rappelant combien, dans certaines conditions, le travail peut devenir difficile. En l'absence de définition réglementaire, sous nos latitudes, il est admis, dans les milieux professionnels, qu'au-delà de 30?°C pour une activité sédentaire et 28?°C pour un travail nécessitant une activité physique, la chaleur constitue un risque pour les salariés. Au froid, sous la barre des 5?°C, une vigilance particulière s'impose. « Entre les extrêmes, il existe un continuum de situations dont il faut se préoccuper pour définir une stratégie générale de gestion des ambiances thermiques de travail », affirme Jacques Malchaire, professeur émérite de l'Université catholique de Louvain, en Belgique (…)."

"A meta-analysis to mathematically summarize the effect of hot and cold temperature exposure on performance was completed. The results from 515 effect sizes calculated from 22 original studies suggest that hot and cold temperatures negatively impact performance on a wide range of cognitive-related tasks. More specifically, hot temperatures of 90°F (32.22°C) Web Bulb Globe Temperature Index or above and cold temperatures of 50°F (10°C) or less resulted in the greatest decrement in performance in comparison to neutral temperature conditions (14.88% decrement and 13.91% decrement, respectively). Furthermore, the duration of exposure to the experimental temperature, the duration of exposure to the experimental temperature prior to the task onset, the type of task and the duration of the task had differential effects on performance. The current results indicate that hot and cold temperature exposure have a negative impact on performance and that other variables (e.g., length of exposure to the temperature or task duration) may modify this relationship."

"The purpose of this study was to investigate the significance of work level and sweat production for the total amount accumulated and the location of the sweat in a three-layer ensemble as a function of material and textile construction. Furthermore, it was also an aim to investigate how this influenced thermoregulatory responses and thermal comfort during work and during a rest period. Long-legged/long-sleeved underwear manufactured from two different 100% fibre-type materials, polypropylene and wool, was tested as part of a three-layer clothing system. The underwear manufactured from 100% polypropylene was tested in two different knit constructions, a 1 -by-1 rib knit and a fishnet structure, and the woollen underwear in a 1 -by-1 rib knit construction. The test was performed on eight male subjects (Ta= I0°C, RH = 85%, Va <0-lm/s), and comprised a twice-repeated bout of 40-min cycle exercise followed by 20 min rest. Each subject conducted two tests with the work level approximating 30% [Vdot]o2 max and 40% [Vdot]o2 max, respectively. Skin temperatures, rectal temperature, weight loss and humidity near the skin were recorded during the test. Total changes in body and clothing weight were measured separately. Furthermore, subjective ratings on thermal comfort and on sensation of temperature and humidity were collected. The results demonstrated that high heat and sweat production during work periods, leading to increased sweat accumulation, will give higher thermal discomfort ratings for rest periods as well as for work periods compared to intermittent work with lower work intensities. Distribution of accumulated sweat in the clothing ensemble after heavy sweating is dependent on the fibre type in the underwear. Further, it can be concluded that underwear construction clearly has an influence on the evaporation rate in a three-layer ensemble during work at a high activity level."

"Oxygen consumption was monitored in ten men exposed to a range of air velocities and air temperatures while performing standing physical work at two different activity levels. The neck was identified as the most draught sensitive area. While air temperature influenced draught ratings at the hands and face, the percentage of dissatisfied subjects due to draught at the head region did not depend on the air temperature. Working at a high activity level resulted in fewer dissatisfied persons, compared to a low activity level. The metabolic rate, equivalent to the internal heat production, significantly influenced human response to air movements."

Background The association between slip and fall-related injuries and environmental temperature was examined for mostly enclosed (inside vehicles, machinery, or buildings), outdoor (outside, not enclosed), and enclosed/outdoor jobs in the coal mining industry to see if differences existed among the three work locations that had varying exposure to cold temperatures. Methods Temperature data from the National Climatic Data Center and injury data from the Mine Safety and Health Administration were evaluated from 1985-1990 for seven states. Proportionate methods were used to examine the relationship between slips and falls and temperature. Results Proportionate injury ratios of slips and fall-related injuries increased as temperature declined for all three work locations. Proportion of slips and fall-related injuries that occurred while running/walking increased with declining temperature, with the ground outside as the most common source of these injuries. Conclusions Outside movement becomes a greater hazard at freezing temperatures for workers in all locations, not just outdoor workers. Any intervention methods geared toward reducing injury incidents facilitated by cold weather must also be directed toward workers who spend time in more enclosed locations.

"L'objectif de ce dossier est de fournir aux médecins du travail des "pistes" ou "points de repères" pour des solutions de prévention réalistes, concrètes et pratiques, en tenant compte des variabilités individuelles et en abordant la conception ou l'adaptation des lieux de travail. Les facteurs de risque ont été analysés et une méthode rapide et simple d'évaluation du "risque météorologique" au poste de travail en période de grand froid est proposée (indice de refroidissement éolien). Cette méthode ne saurait être substituée à des méthodes plus complexes permettant de faire un bilan thermique précis, indispensables dans certaines situations de travail. En revanche, à la portée de non spécialistes et ne nécessitant que des matériels simples, cette méthode devrait permettre de répondre, en première approche, à des situations climatiques exceptionnelles et ainsi de proposer les mesures de prévention adéquates. Les mesures, listées dans ce dossier, sont à adapter en fonction des situations de travail."

"Sommaire : La motricité, Postures et mouvements, Dépense énergétique chez l'homme, Besoin énergétiques de l'homme au travail, Adaptations respiratoires et circulatoires du travail musculaire, Régulations végétatives neuro-endocriniennes - L'adaptation, l'agression, Ambiances thermiques, Vie et travail dans les climats chauds, Vie et travail dans les climats froids, Vie travail et altitude, Travail en hyperbarie, Effets des vibrations sur l'homme, Effets physiologiques des accélérations, Eléments de psychophysique acoustique, Audition et effets du bruit sur l'organisme, Vision et éclairage, Travail et prise d'information, Rythmes circadiens - Sommeil veille et travail, Vigilance et travail monotone, Eléments de méthologie ergonomique, Travail et vieillissement, Physiologie du travail et législation."