User-friendly tool for heat-related risk assessment of the working environment in health facilities

Persons working in hot environments may be at risk of heat stress and strain. Heat stress is the net heat load to which a worker may be exposed from the combination of metabolic heat, environmental factors, and clothing (Heat-tlv 2024). Heat strain is the physiological response resulting from heat stress. Heat may increase the risk of injuries or reduce mental or physical performance, creating additional hazards. Failure to appreciate the risks is often a contributory factor (Parsons 2014). An important measure to safeguard workers in hot environments is therefore to carefully evaluate the factors related with the work, the individual or the surrounding environment that affect the risk of stressful thermal exposures.