Noninvasive Warning Indicator of the Red Zone of Potential Thermal Injury and Performance Impairment: A Pilot Study
Abstract
The guidelines for assessing worker's level of heat strain in order to prevent thermal injury and performance impairment has been widely adapted in industries to promote workers' health and safety. Core temperature (Tcore) is a common physiological parameter used in the guidelines for heat stress; however, measuring Tcore may be invasive and impractical for real time monitoring a worker's health status. This study is a preliminary investigation of non-invasive warning indicator, Red Zone (RZ), for heat strain derived from the combination of heart rate (HR) and skin temperature (Tskin). Individual data from five datasets (Age = 22 plus or minus 5 yrs, BMI = 23.0 plus or minus 2.6, N = 43) were utilized to establish the RZ system. Analysis of the termination points relative to Tskin and HR were identified, along with Body Mass Index for individual differences. The data classified by RZ system were compared to their individual Tcore, using Fisher's exact test. Overall, the data points classified by the RZ system showed relatively good agreement (60-80% probability) with Tcore (p < 0.05). The RZ is a reasonable approach to warn occupational workers that they are approaching or/under thermal strain.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA474470
Entities
People
- Daniel W Moran
- Larry Berglund
- Lou Stephenson
- Margaret Kolka
- Miyo Yokota
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine