Validation of Heat Pressure Assessment (HPA) Method and WBGT index in Iranian South Oil Company

Introduction: Determining methods for assessing heat stress in different work environments is one of the major challenges for researchers in this field. The purpose of this study was to validate WBGT index and heat pressure assessment (HPA) by some physiological responses in Iranian South Oil Company. Material and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was carried out on 154 employees of Kharg, Asalouyeh and Mahshahr oil terminals recruited from three different working conditions including indoor, outdoor and rest environments in the summer. The amount of heat stress in the workplace was evaluated by WBGT index HPA method. To meet this purpose, the environmental parameters i.e., temperature, wet temperature, radiation temperature, relative humidity, water vapor pressure and air flow rate were determined. In addition to the direct reading method by the WBGT meter, ISO 7243 was used to calculate the WBGT index. In order to validate the heat stress indicators, physiological parameters of oral temperature, tympanic temperature and work metabolism were measured. Results: The results of paired sample t-test showed a significant difference between WBGT index and HPA in indoor and outdoor environment (P<0.05). Moreover, there was a significant difference between the physiological indices of oral and tympanic temperatures and work metabolism in the indoor and outdoor environment (P<0.05). Furthermore, the correlation test was significant between WBGT index as an independent variable and HPA as a dependent variable (P<0.05)  and showed a high correlation (R2=0.914) between WBGT index with oral temperature and tympanic temperature . Also, the rate of work metabolism was significantly related with the aforementioned parameters (P<0.05) and was equal to R2=0.423, R2=0.335, R2=0.552, respectively. The correlations were also significant between HPA with Oral temperature, tympanic temperature and work metabolism (P<0.05)and were equal to R2=0.632, R2=0.605, R2=0.557, respectively. The results showed also that the correlation rate between the HPA with physiological parameters is stronger than that between physiological parameters with the WBGT index. Conclusion: This study showed that WBGT and HPA methods are useful for assessing the heat stress of Iranian South Oil Company. Also, the HPA method is more reliable for assessing heat stress in these regions.