طب کار (Jan 2017)
Heat stress Regulations and standards: The key to preventing heat-related illness
Abstract
Introduction: One ways to prevent heat stress illness and protect workers is regional and national legislation and international standards about heat stress. If these regulations and standards are implemented correctly, they can be very effective and efficient. The aim of this review research was studying the importance of heat stress, the ways of prevention of heat related illnesses based on the emphasis on the regulations and standards of heat stress. Methods: In this review study some keywords, including "regulations, standards and thermal stress" using literature search was retrieved, in different occupational health and safety websites such as Safe Work Australia, OSHA, NIOSH and other international organizations during the period from 1992 to 2014. Conclusion: The results showed that legislations and standards are positive steps towards the prevention of heat stress illness in developed and developing countries, unfortunately, some problems occur when running the requirements. Many employers are concerned about the costs that they must paid to their workers due to the heat related illness, and often looking for a legal way to avoid paying it. Although with legislations and standards about heat stress, the workers can complain to the legal authorities in the absence of preventive measures and salary, complain to the authorities, but they rarely do it because of fear of losing their jobs. So, legislations, especially in developing countries do not have enough efficiency and remain only as a document.
