Thermal Stress

Thermal Stress or discomfort may be caused either directly by the working environment or indirectly through interaction between the environment and external factors (e.g. clothing). The type and level of work activity, wearing of personal protective equipment and personal factors such as health status can all affect thermal comfort, well-being and effectiveness. The physical effects of thermal stress on individuals can range from mild discomfort to heat related illnesses or cold induced injuries.

HSL uses the latest scientific equipment to measure, monitor and record environmental conditions, and the effects they have on people carrying out a range of different activities. We can make these measurements at your workplace or in our thermal chamber. Additionally HSL's facilities can be used for product testing and/or evaluation.

Working closely with you, we aim to develop and implement practical solutions to your problems.

HSL can provide you with:
• Independent research on all aspects of the human thermal environment;
• On-site evaluations and field measurements;
• Advice and consultancy;
• Forensic investigation of incidents and provision of an expert witness service;
• Training.

Recent projects include:
• Investigation of the effects of hot and cold environments on manual handling;
• Heat stress in compressed air tunnelling environments;
• Health effects of cold and frozen food environments;
• Thermal comfort studies;
• Investigations into fatalities where heat stress was a potential cause of death;
• Effectiveness of cooling jackets for use in nuclear power plants.

Drawing upon a wide range of complementary skills and expertise within HSL, we can rapidly assemble multi-disciplinary teams to address problems where thermal stress may be combined with other hazards (such as asbestos, chemical, vibration, manual handling etc.).

Environmental and physiological monitoring
The latest scientific equipment is used to measure, monitor and record environmental and physiological data. Real-time data can be monitored either locally or remotely from a number of different locations simultaneously.

Mathematical modelling
HSL has unrivalled experience in the use of both thermal stress and thermal comfort models. Examples of work in this area include the evaluation of thermal comfort in office buildings and the validation and comparison of several heat stress indices.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) performance testing
Our thermal stress team works closely with HSL's PPE specialists to evaluate the thermal performance of PPE ensembles. We have extensive experience of conducting performance trials with human subjects both within a laboratory setting and in the field.

Training
Training workshops are offered. Training can be provided on generic aspects of thermal stress, or tailored to meet your specific needs. Our close links with HSE and British Standards enable us to provide authoritative, practical advice and guidance on:

• The use and interpretation of appropriate thermal ergonomic standards;
• The assessment of heat stress, cold stress and thermal comfort.

HSL's thermal research team actively contributes to a number of UK-based thermal interest groups, for example the Climatic Physiology Group, UK Thermal Comfort Interest Group, and the Clothing Science Group. We contribute to HSE guidance on thermal stress and thermal comfort and are also involved in the development of technical standards for thermal ergonomics at British, European and International levels.

Further Details
Contact our Business Development Unit by telephone (+44) 01298 218218, fax (+44) 01298 218822 or email hslinfo@hsl.gov.uk.

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