Thermal Stress and Impact on Health in Workers of Refrigeration

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this research was to determine the thermal stress conditions generated by low temperatures in the refrigerated warehouses of a plant in Venezuela; it was carried out between 2022 and 2023.Methods: it was carried out within the positivist paradigm, quantitative approach, under a field study, observational design, descriptive level and cross-sectional. The population was made up of 13 workers who worked the day shift, being the census sample. Environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity and air speed were measured in different areas, using calibrated instruments. With the data obtained, the localized cooling index was calculated and the metabolic load was evaluated by observing the tasks, as well as the thermal insulation of the workers' clothing.Results: the sample studied had an average age of over 50 years and a work experience of over 8 years; 35 % of the sample reported a cardiovascular history. Most of the jobs had thermal comfort conditions according to the WCI; 15.38 % of the workers felt cold; where a potential risk was identified in one of the workplaces due to excessive air speed and in another due to insufficient thermal insulation of clothing.Conclusion: Therefore, it was concluded that it is necessary to complement the evaluation with medical checks for workers, due to the possible impact of prolonged exposure to cold on their health.