Dehydration Index and Fatigue Level of Workers Laboring in Heat-Exposed Environments

Zulkarnain, Mohammad and Flora, Rostika and Faisya, Achmad Fickry and Martini, Sri and Aguscik, Aguscik (2019) Dehydration Index and Fatigue Level of Workers Laboring in Heat-Exposed Environments. In: 2nd Sriwijaya International Conference of Public Health (SICPH 2019), 6-7 November 2019, Palembang.

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Abstract

Background: Workers who are exposed to extreme heat may be at high risk of heat stresswhich can affect the workers’ health and reduce their work productivity. This study aimed to analyzedehydration index and fatigue level of employees working in heat-exposed environments. Methods: The participants of this cross-sectional descriptive study were 52 employees working on shoveling sand. The urine and peripheral blood of the research subjects were taken for laboratory analysis. The dehydration index was determined from the color, specific gravity, and acidity of urine and from the hematocrit level of blood. The heat stresswas assessed using the indicators of wet-bulb globe temperature(WBGT)and the amount of UV exposure. Fatigue levelwas measured using occupational fatigue questionnaires referring to Subjective Self Rating Test (SSRT).Results: The results of heat stressmeasurement showed that the average of WBGT was above the threshold limit value, and it meant that the workload of workerswas high. All workers (100%) were exposed to UV radiation that higher than recomended thethreshold limit value.It was found that 11% of the workers were dehydrated based on hematocrit levels and 25% of those was dehydrated based on urine pH level test. Dehydration index based on urine color observationrevealed that 52% of workers were severely dehydrated, whereas based on the urine specific gravity 72.3% of the workers were moderately dehydrated. The measurement of fatigue level showed that 89% of the workers developed mild fatigue. Conclusion: Heat-exposed environments could make some changes in dehydration index and cause mild fatigue in workers. It is necessary for people working in heat-exposed environmentsto have regular medical check-ups and maintain the balance of body fluids.

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Subjects: R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Divisions: 10-Faculty of Public Health > 13101-Public Health Science (S2)
Depositing User: Rostika Flora
Date Deposited: 29 May 2021 12:57
Last Modified: 29 May 2021 12:57
URI: http://repository.unsri.ac.id/id/eprint/46736

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