EVALUATION OF COLD EXPOSURE IN MINERS WORKING AT 4600 METERS OVER SEA LEVEL
Mining at high altitude is a common activity in Chile. At present an important number of copper mines are located at geographical heights between 4000 and 5000 meter over sea level. This study was carried out to evaluate cold exposure of mining workers, performing their activities in open mines, located in the flat area (altiplano) of the Chilean Andes mountains, at 4.600 meters over sea level. In summer, air temperature fluctuates between 5oC and -5o C; while in winter it can go down to -15oC. Air velocity may increase up to 16 km/hour. Therefore, thermal sensations can reach -31oC. The most critical situation faced by the workers is during night shifts mainly because they work 12 hours per day. The aims of the study were to evaluate the real impact of cold exposure in these workers, determine the insulation of clothing and establish if the administrative measures implemented by the company allowed the workers to keep their core temperature within reasonable levels. With respect of methods, physical work load was evaluated measuring cardiac frequency during complete shifts using heart rate monitors (Polar Vantage, Finland). Simultaneously, continues time studies were carried out to determine the times that workers devoted to each activity during the shift. To measure core temperature the workers swallowed a “radio pill capsule (Coretemp, HQ Inc, USA). The equipment was programmed to record the temperature minute by minute. The insulation of clothing was evaluated according to the ISO standard 11079 1993 entitled. “Evaluation of cold enviroments. Determination of required clothing insulation IREQ. Results showed that the insulation of clothing worn by the miners was adequate to prevent hypothermia. However, it was also found that when temperature went down to -15o the time that the miners remain working outdoors should be reduced. Based on the results of the study it was proposed to establish time limits for outdoor work, to provide adequate shelters and also facilities for the workers to change their underwear, especially after heavy manual work. Additionally some changes in the design of clothing were proposed to make it more comfortable.
ezposure to cold clothing evaluation
Felipe Meyer Elías Apud
Ergonomics UnitUniversidad Of Concepción 2MI0003 Ergonomics Unit Universidad Of Concepción 2MI0003
国际会议
17th World Congress on Ergonomics(第十七届国际人类工效学大会)
北京
英文
1-6
2009-08-09（万方平台首次上网日期，不代表论文的发表时间）