The thermal parameters of a working environment vary greatly and the risks to human health can be significant and in extreme instances life threatening.
HOT ENVIRONMENTS
In hot working environments such as foundries and glass making there can be the risk of personnel developing heat stress or heat strain unless strict control procedures are followed. Risks also exist if there is the need to wear personal protective equipment for prolonged period in hot environments such as chemical manufacturing or asbestos removal.
Environmental Evaluation can assist in undertaking thermal assessments, in hot environments, by measuring a range of parameters including air temperature, mean radiant temperature, humidity, air movement, metabolic work rate and clothing.
The thermal assessment use the results of the measurements and inputs the data into the most applicable thermal index dependant on the work situation. These can include the following;
The assessment report will detail allowable working times, required rest periods, control measures and appropriate training requirements.
COLD ENVIRONMENTS
Cold working environments such as cold storage or outdoor working during winter periods can cause significant health problems if personnel are exposed for prolonged period.
In extreme cases this can lead to frostbite or even hypothermia.
Environmental Evaluation can assist in undertaking thermal assessments, in cold environments, by measuring a range of parameters including air temperature, mean radiant temperature, humidity, air movement, metabolic work rate and clothing.
The thermal assessment uses the results of the measurements and inputs the data into the most applicable thermal index dependant on the work situation. These can include the following;
THERMAL COMFORT
Issues with moderate thermal comfort in the working environment (offices) are largely subjective but in addition to minor health issues can result in wider problems relating to productivity and morale.
Environmental Evaluation has experienced occupational hygiene consultants who can measure and assess the thermal conditions in your workplace to determine the level of comfort.
The assessment follows the principles of:-
ISO 7730 (2005) – “Ergonomics of the thermal environment – Analytical determination and interpretation of thermal comfort using calculation of PMV and PPD indices and local thermal comfort criteria”.
The standard looks at the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and Predicted Percentage Dissatisfied (PPD) which results in a percentage of thermally dissatisfied people who feel either too cool or too warm. Appropriate recommendations to allow corrective action are reported.
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