Analyse du travail à la chaleur : les indices de contraintes thermiques

The present study reviews the different factors which modify heat exchanges between the human body and its environment. It points out that to assess heat stress of workers, it is necessary to take into account various environmental factors related to air and radiant temperatures, air velocity and humidity but also to physiological adjustments to heat. Different ways based on ISO Standards are suggested to integrate these factors in the determination of heat load and in the time to reach dangerous thresholds. The limitations of these different ways have been developed. A simplified program based on standard ISO 7933 has been proposed to improve a working situation.