Abstract:
The objective of this cross-sectional study was to study heat illness of employees exposed to heat in metal smelting manufacturing factories in Rayong Province.Personal factors, physiological factors and factors of job affecting the 128 study subjects were investigated. Most of the study subjects were male (86.70%); their mean age was 36.06± 9.76 years, with an average working time per day of 9.93±. 1.50 hours. The forging department had WBGT average of 35.20 ± 0.78 °c, and the heart rate changed from before work 93.00% and electrolyte in urine increased 85.90% at the end of shift. The results showed that the factors affecting heat related illness, all at a confidence interval of 95% or higher, included:1) Heat rash: being of the female gender saw an odds ratio (OR)of 9.23, with a 95% confidence interval of 1.33 to 63.89. Drinking alcohol the evening before working also led to increased odds for heat rash (OR of 3.19 (1.04, 9.78)), as was wearing shorts or short underwear (OR of 2.76 (1.02, 7.45)), increased body temperature (OR 5.27 (1.02, 27.11)) and working over 8 hoursper day (OR 7.57 (1.52, 37.70)). 2) The symptom of heat cramp was associated with having a high body mass index (OR of 3.29 (1.03, 10.49)) and with wearing shorts or short underwear (OR 4.77 (1.49, 15.23)). 3) The symptom of heat syncope was found to be associated with whether fire protection and fire mask were used, leading to strongly reduced odds (OR 0.02 (0.01, 0.23)). 4) The symptom of heat exhaustion was associated with being female, (OR of 7.37 (1.05, 51.52)) and with wearing shorts or short underwear (OR of 2.70 (1.02, 7.17)). ช Taking these findings into consideration, the author suggests that employees should avoid drinking alcohol before working in the heat, wear light clothing and wear protective gear. Drinking at least 10 glasses of water per day and avoiding work for more than eight hours per day would also help to reduce the risk of heat related illnesses.