Prevention and control of occupational diseases: Measures to eliminate occupational hazards caused by high temperatures?

The meteorological conditions in a production environment are influenced not only by the factory building, ventilation equipment, manufacturing processes, and heat sources, but also by geographical location, natural seasons, and day-night cycles. Therefore, in different regions and seasons, the meteorological conditions of the production environment vary greatly; within the same workplace at different times of the day, as well as at different heights at the same location, the meteorological conditions also change significantly. Since various weather conditions can affect the physiological functions of the body, it is necessary to take multiple factors into consideration when conducting hygienic evaluations and formulating preventive measures. 　　Safety protection technologies 　　1. Reasonably designing the technological process, as well as improving production equipment and operating methods, are fundamental measures for enhancing working conditions in high-temperature environments. The automation of processes such as continuous steel casting, rolling, foundry work, and enamel coating allows workers to stay away from heat sources while reducing the intensity of their labor. The placement of heat sources should meet the following requirements: ① They should be placed as far outside the workshop as possible; ② When natural ventilation relying on heat convection is used, they should be placed under the skylight; ③ When natural ventilation relying on cross-ventilation is used, they should be placed on the downwind side of the prevailing wind direction in summer; ④ Insulation measures should be applied to the heat sources; ⑤ The work areas should be designed to allow for easy implementation of cooling measures, and partitions (panels) can be installed between heat sources to allow hot air to rise along these partitions and be discharged through the skylight, thereby preventing it from spreading throughout the entire workshop. Hot finished products and semi-finished products should be promptly removed from the workshop or stored on the downwind side. 　　2. Thermal insulation is an important measure to prevent heat radiation. Insulation can be achieved using water or materials with a low thermal conductivity; among these, water offers the best insulating effect, as it has a high specific heat capacity that allows it to absorb radiant heat to the greatest extent possible. 　　3. Ventilation for cooling ① Natural ventilation: Any building can achieve natural ventilation through doors, windows, and gaps. However, this method alone is insufficient in high-temperature workshops; in such workshops where heat generation is high and the heat sources are spread out, ventilation must occur 30 to 50 times per hour or more in order to remove excess heat promptly. In such cases, it is necessary to arrange the air inlets and outlets in a proper manner, making full use of the combined effects of thermal pressure and wind pressure to maximize the efficiency of natural ventilation (see Chapter 5 on ventilation for details). ② Mechanical ventilation: Mechanical ventilation can be used when natural ventilation is not sufficient to meet the cooling requirements, or when it is necessary to maintain a certain temperature and humidity level in the workshop due to production needs. 　　Safety measures 　　1. Provision of beverages and nutritional supplements: Workers engaged in high-temperature tasks should be supplied with an amount of water and salts equal to that lost through sweating. The best way to replenish water and salts is by providing salty beverages. Generally, 3–5 liters of water and about 20 grams of salt are provided per person per day. When sweat loss is less than 4 liters within an 8-hour working day, 15–18 grams of salt per day can be obtained from food; it is not necessary to obtain it from beverages. If sweating exceeds this amount, in addition to obtaining salt from food, it is also necessary to supplement an appropriate amount of salt through beverages. The salt content in beverages should be between 0.15% and 0.2%. It is advisable to drink water in small amounts multiple times. When working in high-temperature environments, energy consumption increases; therefore, the total calorie intake from food should be higher than that of ordinary workers, ideally reaching 12,600–13,860 kJ. Protein should be increased to 14%–15% of the total calories. In addition, vitamins and calcium can be supplemented. 　　2. Personal protective clothing for workers in high-temperature environments should be made of fabrics that are heat-resistant, have a low thermal conductivity, and good breathability. To prevent radiant heat, work clothes made of white canvas or aluminum foil can be used. Work clothes should be loose enough without hindering operation. In addition, personal protective equipment such as work hats, safety glasses, face shields, gloves, shoe covers, and leg guards are provided according to the requirements of different tasks. Workers engaged in special high-temperature tasks, such as heat repair of furnace linings and cleaning of steel ladles, must wear heat-insulating masks and protective clothing that is heat-insulating, flame-retardant, and ventilated, in order to protect themselves from intense thermal radiation; this includes heat-insulating masks coated with metals such as copper or silver, as well as aluminum-film insulated clothing. 　　3. Strengthen medical prevention efforts: Workers engaged in high-temperature work should undergo physical examinations before employment and before the onset of hot weather. Those with organic diseases of the cardiovascular system, impaired vasomotor regulation, persistent hypertension, ulcer disease, active pulmonary tuberculosis, emphysema, liver or kidney diseases, significant endocrine disorders (such as hyperthyroidism), organic diseases of the central nervous system, patients with allergic skin scars, those in the recovery phase after serious illness, and those who are physically weak should not engage in work in high-temperature environments.

(1) Technical measures 　　1. Rational design of the process flow: A rational design of the process flow, along with improvements to production equipment and operating methods, represents a fundamental approach to improving working conditions in high-temperature environments. The placement of heat sources should meet the following requirements: ① They should be placed as far outside the workshop as possible; ② When natural ventilation based on heat conduction is used, they should be placed beneath skylights; ③ When natural ventilation relying on cross-ventilation is used, they should be placed on the downwind side of the prevailing wind direction during summer; ④ Insulation measures should be applied to heat sources; ⑤ Work areas should be designed in such a way that cooling measures can be easily implemented, and partitions (panels) can be installed between heat sources to allow hot air to rise along these partitions and be expelled through skylights, thereby preventing it from spreading throughout the workshop; ⑥ Hot finished products and semi-finished products should be removed from the workshop promptly or stored on the downwind side. 　　2. Heat insulation: Heat insulation is an important measure to prevent heat radiation, with water offering the best insulating effect. Water has a high specific heat capacity, which allows it to absorb radiant heat to the greatest extent possible. 　　3. Ventilation and cooling: ① Natural ventilation, which involves using doors, windows, and gaps for air exchange; however, this method is far from sufficient in workshops with high temperatures. ②Mechanical ventilation: a. Use local or overall mechanical ventilation, or forced supply of cold air, to reduce the temperature in the working environment; b. In factories where high temperatures prevail, construct isolated work rooms, supply cold air to these rooms, or install air conditioning systems. (II) Health care measures 1. Providing drinks and nutritional supplements: Workers who are exposed to high temperatures should replenish the water and salts lost through sweating. The salt content in drinks should be around 0.15%-0.2%, and it is advisable to drink water in small amounts frequently. It is also necessary to increase the intake of high-calorie foods, as well as proteins, vitamins, and calcium. 2. Personal protection: The work clothes for workers engaged in high-temperature tasks should be made of fabrics that are heat-resistant, have a low thermal conductivity, and good breathability. Depending on the specific requirements of different jobs, personal protective equipment such as work hats, safety glasses, face shields, gloves, shoe covers, and leg guards should also be provided. 3. Strengthen medical prevention efforts: Workers engaged in high-temperature work should undergo physical examinations before starting employment and before the onset of hot weather. Those with organic diseases of the cardiovascular system, impaired vasomotor regulation, persistent hypertension, ulcerative diseases, active pulmonary tuberculosis, emphysema, liver or kidney diseases, significant endocrine disorders (such as hyperthyroidism), organic diseases of the central nervous system, patients with allergic skin conditions, those in the recovery phase from serious illnesses, and those who are physically weak should not engage in work in high-temperature environments. 　　(III) Organizational measures 1. Strengthen leadership and improve management; strictly comply with the relevant health standards for work in high-temperature environments in order to carry out effective heat prevention and cooling measures. For example, classify and evaluate the high-temperature work carried out within the organization using the methods and standards specified in the \"Classification of Work in High-Temperature Environments\" (GB/T4200--1997), with such evaluations generally being conducted once every summer. (2) Promote knowledge on heat prevention and cooling, as well as the prevention of heatstroke. (3) Arrange work hours reasonably to avoid the peak temperatures. Rotate tasks to shorten operation time. Rest rooms should be provided to ensure that workers engaged in high-temperature tasks have adequate sleep and rest.

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(I) Technical measures 1. Rational design of the process flow: A rational design of the process flow, along with improvements to production equipment and operating methods, represents a fundamental approach to improving working conditions in high-temperature environments. The placement of heat sources should meet the following requirements: ① They should be placed as far outside the workshop as possible; ② When natural ventilation based on heat conduction is used, they should be placed beneath skylights; ③ When natural ventilation relying on cross-ventilation is used, they should be placed on the downwind side of the prevailing wind direction during summer; ④ Insulation measures should be applied to heat sources; ⑤ Work areas should be designed to allow for easy implementation of cooling measures, and partitions (panels) can be installed between heat sources to prevent hot air from rising and spreading throughout the workshop through the skylights; ⑥ Hot finished products and semi-finished products should be removed from the workshop promptly or stored on the downwind side. 2. Heat insulation: Heat insulation is an important measure to prevent heat radiation, with water offering the best insulating effect. Water has a high specific heat capacity, which allows it to absorb radiant heat to the greatest extent possible. 3. Ventilation and cooling: ① Natural ventilation, which involves using doors, windows, and gaps for air exchange; however, this method is far from sufficient in workshops with high temperatures. ②Mechanical ventilation: a. Use local or overall mechanical ventilation, or forced supply of cold air, to reduce the temperature in the working environment; b. In factories where high temperatures prevail, construct isolated work rooms, supply cold air to these rooms, or install air conditioning systems. >> (II) Health measures 1. Providing beverages and nutritional supplements: Workers who are exposed to high temperatures should replenish the water and salts lost through sweating. The salt content in beverages should be around 0.15%-0.2%, and it is advisable to drink water in small amounts frequently; it is also necessary to increase the intake of high-calorie foods, as well as proteins, vitamins, and calcium. 2. Personal protection: The work clothes for workers engaged in high-temperature tasks should be made of fabrics that are heat-resistant, have a low thermal conductivity, and good breathability. Depending on the specific requirements of different jobs, personal protective equipment such as work hats, safety glasses, face shields, gloves, shoe covers, and leg guards should also be provided. 3. Strengthen medical prevention efforts: Workers engaged in high-temperature work should undergo physical examinations before starting employment and before the onset of hot weather. Those with organic diseases of the cardiovascular system, impaired vasomotor regulation, persistent hypertension, ulcerative diseases, active pulmonary tuberculosis, emphysema, liver or kidney diseases, significant endocrine disorders (such as hyperthyroidism), organic diseases of the central nervous system, patients with allergic skin conditions, those in the recovery phase from serious illnesses, and those who are physically weak should not engage in work in high-temperature environments.

　1. Improve working conditions by providing protective facilities and equipment. It mainly involves the rational design of the manufacturing process, as well as the improvement of production equipment and operating methods. 　　　2. Strengthen personal protection. 3. Improve health care and health monitoring. 4. Establish a reasonable work and rest schedule 　

Fundamental measures to eliminate occupational hazards associated with high temperatures: 1. Adjust the industrial structure by phasing out industries that consume large amounts of energy and have low levels of technological sophistication, such as small-scale coal-fired industrial boilers operated manually, and small steel enterprises with low production capacity； 2. Innovative technologies that enable automation of processes in high-temperature environments, thereby avoiding manual operation ； 3. Optimize the production process to minimize high-temperature operations as much as possible ； 4. In situations where extremely high temperatures are truly unavoidable, working hours should be reduced, and measures for insulation and cooling should be implemented ； 5. Strengthen the physical examinations for occupational diseases related to high temperatures ； 6. Implement a regular rotation system for personnel working in high-temperature environments ； 7. Improve the health benefits for workers operating in high-temperature environments.

When the process cannot be changed, properly insulating the heat source equipment or pipes is indeed the most important measure to prevent heat radiation; therefore, it is necessary to select appropriate insulation materials and determine the right thickness for the insulation, and any local damage should be repaired promptly. Sometimes, installing additional heat exchangers to recover and reuse heat is also a measure to eliminate the hazards associated with high temperatures at work; the investment yields corresponding benefits, which makes it more acceptable to employers.

Measures to eliminate high temperatures include those based on the manufacturing process and those based on preventive care. Combining these two aspects will work. If the process cannot be changed, then focus on preventive care by adjusting working hours to prevent heat stroke, and so on

1. Cooling measures, such as air conditioners and fans. 2. Regular distribution of heat prevention supplies, such as beverages. 3. Adjusting working methods to reduce the time workers are exposed to heat. 4. Installing insulation devices where feasible in terms of the manufacturing process