The effect of hot and humid weather on the level of mental workload among managers and supervisors on a project of South Pars phases, Iran

Abstract

Despite the physiological response of the body to heat has been modeled and described well, the effects of heat stress on cognitive ability are still not well understood. This study aims at measuring mental work load and specifically the effects of hot and humid weather on the level of mental work load among managers and supervisors working on a project of South Pars phases in Bushier (one of the province in south of Iran) . This study is descriptive---analytic and was carried out in two phases: the first phase in winter (February and March 2012) and the second one in summer (July and August 2013). A total of 98 managers and supervisors completed the questionnaires. Method of implementing was the same in both phases, and the same sample took part in both phases. The temperature and humidity information were obtained from synoptic stations. Results of this study showed that there is a direct relationship between the prevailing weather conditions in summer and mental work load. With increasing temperature and relative humidity and in sultry conditions, mental work load of managers and supervisors increased. Based on the results obtained, mental work load of managers and supervisors in South Pars phase projects is high. Nowadays, along with new jobs, work environments are getting more complex and require higher mental activities. Therefore, in addition to assessing physical work load, evaluating mental work load is very important. Also, to reduce mental work load, identifying its causes and factors affecting it is essential. Climate is a potential factor influencing mental work load.