Effect of Heat Stress on Body Weight, Blood Pressure, and Urine Specific Gravity among Underground Miners in PT X 2015

Abstract

Underground miners are often exposed to thermal stress hazards in the workplace. The closed conditions, heavy workload, and limited ventilation are common causes of high environmental temperatures. Thermal stress can influence the metabolism and physiological function of human body. The objective of this study was to investigate underground mine workers’ thermal stress levels and to assess its effect on their physiology (blood pressure, urine specific gravity, body weight, and heart rate). This study was an observational cross-sectional study of a sample of 42 underground miners. The heat stress level in the study location was 147.14 Wm2 and categorized as an unrestricted zone. This study showed that urine specific gravity, systolic and
diastolic blood pressure, and heart rates among underground miners change after shift work, while no transformation of body weight was observed. In summary, heat stress exposure affects urine specific gravity, blood pressure, and heart rate.



Keywords: Heat Stress, Body Weight, Blood Pressure, Systole, Diastole, Urine Specific Gravity, Underground Miners

References
[1] Bates Graham, Parker Richard, Ashby Lis and Bentley Tim. Fluid intake and hydration status of forest worker: a preliminary investigation. IJFE. 2001; 12(2):27–32.


[2] Bates, Graham., Schneider, John. Hydration status and physiological workload of UAE construction workers: a prospective longitudinal observational study. J Occup Med Toxicol. 2008; 3:1–10.


[3] Brake DJ and Bates GP. Fluid losses and hydration status of industrial workers under thermal stress working extended shifts. Occup Environ Med. 2003; 60(2):90-96.


[4] Carter, Robert., N Cheuvront, Samuel., R,Vernieuw Carrie., N Sawka Michael. Hypohydration and prior heat stress exacerbates decreases in cerebral blood flow velocity during standing. J Appl Physiol. 2006; 101:1744-1750.


[5] Donoghue, AM, Bates, GP. The risk of heat exhaustion at a deep underground metalliferous mine in relation to body-mass index and predicted vo2max. Occup Med. 2000; 50(4):259–263.


[6] Miller VS and Bates GP. The thermal work limit is a simple reliable heat index for the protection of workers in thermally stressful environments. Occup Hyg. 2007; 51(6):553–561.


[7] Ichatun, Mufi. Hubungan antara tekanan panas, denyut nadi dan produktivitas kerja pada pekerja pandai besi paguyuban wesi aji donorejo batang (Correlation between Thermal Pressure, Pulse and Work productivity of Blacksmith in Community of Wesi aji donorejo batang). Semarang: Universitas Negeri Semarang; 2006.


[8] Pancardo P, Acosta FD, Hernández-Nolasco JA, Wister MA, López-de-Ipiña D. Realtime personalized monitoring to estimate occupational heat stress in ambient assisted working. Sensors. 2015; 15(7):16956–16980.


[9] Young-Min Kim, Soyeon Kim, Hae-Kwan Cheong, Byungok Ahn, and Kyusik Choi. Effects of Heat Wave on Body Temperature and Blood Pressure in the Poor and Elderly. Environ Health Toxicol. 2012; 27: e2012013.