Investigation of the compatibility of wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and predicted heat strain (PHS) in assessing the environmental conditions and heat load imposed on individuals: a case study in bakery workers

This study was designed with the main purpose of examining the compatibility of the two indicators of wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and predicted thermal strain (PHS) in assessing the environmental conditions and the heat load imposed on the subjects.

In this cross-sectional study, 163 bakers were included in the study. Thermal stress was determined using the WBGT and PHS. At the same time, physiological responses of subjects were recorded, including tympanic temperature, heart rate and mean skin temperature. Finally, the predicted heat strain was evaluated and compared with actual values.

Based on the results, the WBGT index is accompanied with an underestimation and PHS with  an overestimation, compared to the tympanic temperature. In addition, the WBGT index with the core temperature and the predicted rectal temperature component of the PHS index are the most consistent (kappa value of 0.614 and 0.66, respectively). While the Kappa value is between the amount of water lost and the WBGT index, it indicates a mismatch (Kappa = 0.339).

The prediction of heat strains only based on the PHS index cannot reflect the actual heat load on individuals in thermal environments such as bakeries and it is associated with an overestimation. On the other words, this indicator is more suitable for indoor thermal environments, with minimal variation in individual and environmental factors affecting thermal stress