Heat Stress Vulnerability Among Small-Scale Factory Workers and Adaptive Strategies in Ahmedabad: a Cross Sectional Study

Introduction: Global warming is likely to affect certain groups such as workers in heat-producing industries. With limited research exploring an important area, this study aimed explore the heat stress vulnerability and adaptive strategies of indoor small-scale factory workers. Methods: This was a cross-sectional mixed-method approach used. The setting units. quantitative component included environmental biological monitoring from six units steel rolling mills foundry summer winter seasons. conducted during period November-2018 May 2019. Heat measured among using portable Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) meter. physiological parameters were also measured. qualitative in-depth interviews supervisors eleven Results: maximum temperatures recorded at crossed Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) threshold (27.5℃) well winter. mean WBGT mill 31.5℃. measurements level for heart rate oral temperature had mechanisms dissipate but lack mechanism inside wore lighter or fewer clothes measure uncomfortable PPEs avoided. Conclusion: industry found high there need develop specific vulnerably heat-exposed groups.