Thermal Discomfort
Conditions
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to develop a heat stress program for the construction industry and evaluate its feasibility and appeal.
Interventions
DEVICEGroup A
The intervention will take place after lunch for about 2-3 hours in regular working conditions. Group A will be fitted with a cooling and bio-harness. At the end of each workday, participants will return the monitors and vests will be removed and returned to the research station. The biomonitor's battery will be recharged and data downloaded. The ice vests will be placed in a freezer.
DEVICEGroup B
The intervention will take place after lunch for about 2-3 hours in regular working conditions. Group B will wear a bio-harness and no cooling vest.At the end of each workday, participants will return the monitors and vests will be removed and returned to the research station. The biomonitor's battery will be recharged and data downloaded. The ice vests will be placed in a freezer.
Sponsors
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH/CDC)
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* employed at S&B * work more than 20 hours a week
Exclusion criteria
* severe chronic disease (e.g. severe pulmonary or cardiovascular disease * history of severe heat stroke * use of a pacemaker * any medical issue which would render the participant unable to wear a chest monitor and cooling vest.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal discomfort as assessed by the thermal comfort scale | end of study (about 2 hours after start) | The thermal comfort scale is a 7-point scale that asks participants to rate their level of thermal comfort ranging from the sensation of cold, cool, slightly cool, neutral, slightly warm, warm, hot |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Change in Heart rate as assessed by the Zephyr BioHarness 3.0 device | from baseline to end of study (2 hours after baseline) |
| Estimated core body temperature as assessed by the Zephyr BioHarness 3.0 device | from baseline to end of study (2 hours after baseline) |
| Respiratory rate as assessed by the Zephyr BioHarness 3.0 device | from baseline to end of study (2 hours after baseline) |
| Caloric burn as assessed by the Zephyr BioHarness 3.0 device | from baseline to end of study (2 hours after baseline) |
| Hydration status as indicated by urine specific gravity as assessed by a clinical refractometer analysis of urine sample | from baseline to end of study (2 hours after baseline) |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed