The influence of wet bulb globe temperature (wbgt) on body weight loss of electricians of the maintenance group of energized lines from energetic company of alagoas (ceal)

Abstract

This paper has as purpose to examine the possible correlation between the body weight loss observed in the electricians of the maintenance group of energized lines, in 69 kV tension, from Energetic Company of Alagoas (CEAL), and the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) variation during the performance of different energized lines maintenance procedures. The results of the research must be understood as restrict to climate and personal conditions described in the present paper. The main objective was reached through linear regression statistic analysis based on significance tests necessary to validate the method applied. According to the evaluations accomplished for determining the direct relation of the body weight loss variation related to the variation of WBGT, it may be concluded that there is a close relation between the two examined parameters. As a consequence of this study, it was possible to determine a basic equation, which correlates the weight loss, also a function of the use of special garments during the execution of the tasks, with the variables that compose WBGT. One of the main evidences achieved with the aspects analyzed in this research refers to the significant importance of body mass loss, substantially water loss, which may cause harmful physiological consequences to the health of the worker. Results signal in the sense of reviewing partly the ruled procedures adopted in Brazil for evaluation of occupational exposure to heat.