Open AccessPrioritizing Factors Associated with Thermal Stresses Imposed on Workers in Steel and Iron Casting Industries Using the Monte Carlo Simulation and Sensitivity Analysis
Author(s) -
Chen WangYi,
Lo ChuhLun,
Chen ChenPeng,
Juang YowJer,
Yoon Chungsik,
Tsai PerngJy
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of occupational health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.664
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 1348-9585
DOI - 10.1539/joh.14-0078-fs
Subject(s) - monte carlo method , sensitivity (control systems) , casting , materials science , metallurgy , engineering , mathematics , statistics , electronic engineering
Prioritizing Factors Associated with Thermal Stresses Imposed on Workers in Steel and Iron Casting Industries Using the Monte Carlo Simulation and Sensitivity Analysis: Wang‐Yi CHEN, et al . Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Medical College, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan—Objectives The aims of this study were to develop approaches for monitoring and prioritizing factors associated with thermal stresses imposed on workers in iron and steel casting industries, and to eventually purpose effective control strategies. Methods The whole study was completed in the furnace areas of two steel casting and two iron casting plants, where the air temperature (T a ), radiant temperature (T r ), air velocity (V a ) and partial water vapor pressure (p a ) were measured continuously during two consecutive work cycles. Simultaneously, the metabolic rates (M) of all workers in the furnace area were also measured. Results Using the WBGT as an index for screening purposes, our results suggest that all furnace area workers in both types of casting plants might experience severe heat stress. The predicted heat strain (PHS) model proposed by ISO 7933 was further adopted for detailed analysis from the physiological aspect. Through use of the Monte Carlo simulation and sensitivity analysis, both M and T r were found to be the two most important factors associated with workers' thermal hazard. Therefore, two effective control strategies were suggested, including reducing workloads of workers and reducing radiant heat transmitting from furnaces to workplace environments. Conclusions The approach developed in the present study would be beneficial to many other industries for initiating strategies to avert the thermal hazard imposed on workers.