Heat Strains among Diesel Power Plant Operators and Related Factors

Abstract

Introduction: Research in occupational heat stress and heat strain in developing countries is limited because of several challenges and constraints. Objectives: To describe the prevalence of heat strains of diesel power plant operators and analyze the related factors. Method: Cross-sectional design has been carried out on the diesel power plant operators in the Indonesian state electricity company (N=35). The research variables consisted of heat strain, age, working period, nutritional status, hydration status and heat stress. Measuring instruments used consisted of a heat strain score index (HSSI), heat stress monitor, weight scale, microtoise, and questionnaire. Cramer’s V test and odds ratio were applied to see an association between heat strain prevalence and related factors. Results: 35.8% of diesel power plant operators experienced heat strain in the yellow zone/alarm category, 64.2% was included in the green zone/save category. The heat strain experienced by the operator was significantly related to age (p=0.000), years of service (p=0.000), hydration status (p=0.057) and heat stress (p=0.000). Conclusion: The occurrence of heat strains began to show the alarm stage, this requires efforts to control heat pressure and others variables in order to prevent the heat strain does not get worse.