Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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Heat Stress Assessment and the Establishment of a Forecast System to Provide Thermophysiological Indices for Harbor Workers in Summer

하계 항만열환경정보 제공을 위한 열환경 평가 및 예보시스템 구축

  • Hwang, Mi-Kyoung (Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Pusan National University) ;
  • Yun, Jinah (Division of Earth Environmental System, Pusan National University) ;
  • Kim, Hyunsu (Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Pusan National University) ;
  • Kim, Young-Jun (Weather Information Service Engine Institute, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies) ;
  • Lim, Yeon-Ju (ECO BRAIN Co., Ltd.) ;
  • Lee, Young-Mi (ECO BRAIN Co., Ltd.) ;
  • Kim, Youngnam (Busan Regional office of Meteorology) ;
  • Yoon, Euikyung (Busan Regional office of Meteorology) ;
  • Kim, Yoo-Keun (Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Pusan National University)
  • 황미경 (부산대학교 대기환경과학과) ;
  • 윤진아 (부산대학교 지구환경시스템학부) ;
  • 김현수 (부산대학교 대기환경과학과) ;
  • 김영준 (한국외국어대학교 차세대도시농림융합기상사업단) ;
  • 임연주 ((주)에코브레인) ;
  • 이영미 ((주)에코브레인) ;
  • 김영남 (부산지방기상청) ;
  • 윤의경 (부산지방기상청) ;
  • 김유근 (부산대학교 대기환경과학과)
  • Received : 2016.01.12
  • Accepted : 2016.04.05
  • Published : 2016.04.29
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Abstract

Objectives: Outdoor workers are exposed to thermally stressful work environments. In this study, heat stress indices for harbor workers in summer were calculated to evaluate thermal comfort based on a human heat balance model. These indices are Physiological Subjective Temperature (PST), Dehydration Risk (DhR), and Overheating Risk (OhR) according to respective stage of cargo work in a harbor. In addition, we constructed a forecast system to provide heat stress information. Methods: Thermophysiological indices in this study were calculated using the MENEX model (i.e. the human heat balance model), which used as inputs the meteorological parameters, clothing insulation, and metabolic rate for each stage of cargo work in the harbor of Masan over the course of seven days, including a four-day heat wave. The forecast heat stress information constructed for Masan harbor was based on meteorological data supported by the Dong-Nae Forecast from the KMA (Korea Metrological Administration) and other input parameters. Results: According to higher metabolic rate, thermophysiological indices showed a critical level. In particular, PST was evaluated as reaching the 'Very hot' or 'Hot' level during all seven days, despite the heat occurring over only four. It is important in a regard to consider the work environment conditions (i.e. labor intensity and clothing in harbor). On a webpage, the forecast thermophysiological indices show as infographics to be easily understand. This webpage is comprised of indices for both current conditions and the forecast, with brief guidance. Conclusion: Thermophysiological indices show the risk level to health during a heat wave period. Heat stress information could help to protect the health of harbor workers. Further, this study could extend the applicability of these indices to a variety of outdoor workers in consideration of work environments.

Keywords

References

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