BACKGROUND: The temperature of climate controlled areas in the food industry varies from -35°C to 12°C to ensure the quality of food. However, this temperature range might be harmful to the health of workers. OBJECTIVE: To analyze parameters related to occupational exposure to cold risks to calculate clothing insulation indices and establish the efficacy of personal protective equipment (PPE). METHODS: In stage 1 we analyzed environmental variables (air temperature and velocity and relative humidity) and the metabolic rate; in stage 2 we calculated the resultant clothing insulation index; in stage 3 we calculated the basic clothing insulation required to maintain the thermal balance and investigated the efficacy of PPE. RESULTS: While the air temperature was lower for activities developed in the freezing tunnel (secondary packaging department), required basic clothing insulation was higher for activities involving operating forklifts. CONCLUSION: Protection was efficacious for 83.3% of the analyzed activities, however, occurrence of thermal discomfort cannot be ruled out as a function of excessive clothing. Although protection was insufficient for 16.7% of the analyzed activities, breaks for thermal recovery neutralized the risk of hypothermia.
BACKGROUND: The temperature of climate controlled areas in the food industry varies from -35°C to 12°C to ensure the quality of food. However, this temperature range might be harmful to the health of workers. OBJECTIVE: To analyze parameters related to occupational exposure to cold risks to calculate clothing insulation indices and establish the efficacy of personal protective equipment (PPE). METHODS: In stage 1 we analyzed environmental variables (air temperature and velocity and relative humidity) and the metabolic rate; in stage 2 we calculated the resultant clothing insulation index; in stage 3 we calculated the basic clothing insulation required to maintain the thermal balance and investigated the efficacy of PPE. RESULTS: While the air temperature was lower for activities developed in the freezing tunnel (secondary packaging department), required basic clothing insulation was higher for activities involving operating forklifts. CONCLUSION: Protection was efficacious for 83.3% of the analyzed activities, however, occurrence of thermal discomfort cannot be ruled out as a function of excessive clothing. Although protection was insufficient for 16.7% of the analyzed activities, breaks for thermal recovery neutralized the risk of hypothermia.