Comparing thermal strain in outdoor maintenance and indoor service workers in the mining industry during summer

While working in the heat is a common practice within the Australian mining industry, it can lead to adverse effects on cognitive function, productivity, and physical health. This study aimed to compare the thermal strain experienced by maintenance workers and service workers in the mining industry...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PloS one 2023-10, Vol.18 (10), p.e0292436-e0292436
Main Authors: Taggart, Sarah M, Girard, Olivier, Landers, Grant J, Ecker, Ullrich K. H, Wallman, Karen E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biology and Life Sciences
Cognitive ability
Discomfort
Employers
Fatigue
Health aspects
Heart beat
Heart rate
Heat
International economic relations
Maintenance
Management
Manual dexterity
Medicine and Health Sciences
Mineral industry
Mining
Mining industry
Motor ability
Occupational health and safety
Outdoors
Physiological aspects
Physiology
Productivity
Radiation
Safety and security measures
Sensation
Short term memory
Social Sciences
Specific gravity
Summer
Temperature
Thermal comfort
Thermal strain
Towns
Workers
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Summary:While working in the heat is a common practice within the Australian mining industry, it can lead to adverse effects on cognitive function, productivity, and physical health. This study aimed to compare the thermal strain experienced by maintenance workers and service workers in the mining industry during summer. Psycho-physiological parameters, manual dexterity, and cognitive function were assessed in maintenance workers (n = 12) and service workers (n = 12) employed at mine site villages in north-west Australia. Maintenance workers had the freedom to self-select their work intensity and predominantly worked outdoors (33.9±4.2°C, 38±18% RH), whereas service workers had to work to a fixed schedule and worked intermittently indoors (~64% of work shift; 29.5±3.4°C, 48±8% RH) and outdoors (~36%; 35.4±4.6°C, 47±21% RH). All workers underwent assessment at the beginning (day 2/3), middle (day 7/8), and end of their swing (day 13/14), at various time points throughout their 11-12 h shift. Service workers completed more steps (11282±1794 vs. 7774±2821; p
ISSN:1932-6203
1932-6203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0292436