Dublin Core
Title
Dehydration Index and Fatigue Level of Workers Laboring in Heat-
Exposed Environments
Exposed Environments
Subject
Keywords: dehydration, fatigue, heat exposure
Description
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.+
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.+
Creator
Mohammad Zulkarnain1*, Rostika Flora2
, Achmad Fickry Faisya2
, Sri Martini 3
, Aguscik3
, Achmad Fickry Faisya2
, Sri Martini 3
, Aguscik3
Publisher
ATLANTIS PRESS
Date
2019
Format
PDF
Language
BAHASA INGGRIS
Type
JURNAL INTERNASIONAL