Heat Stress Analysis Using WBGT (Wet Bulb Global Temperature) Index

The wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) is an indicator of heat-related stress on the human body when working or doing a job in direct sunlight. It takes into account multiple atmospheric variables, including temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle and the condition of the clouds. Military agencies, occupational safety and health administration (OSHA), events associations and similar organizations use this index to manage workload or activity level.

The effects of working under direct sunlight at various temperatures and the precautions to be taken have been determined as follows:

• After 26 minutes at a temperature below 45 degrees, the body becomes stressed. In this case, there should be a break of at least 15 minutes every hour.
• After 26 minutes at a temperature of 29-30 degrees, the body becomes stressed. In this case, there should be a break of at least 30 minutes every hour.
• After 30 minutes at a temperature of 31-20 degrees, the body becomes stressed. In this case, there should be a break of at least 40 minutes every hour.
• After 31 minutes at a temperature of 32-15 degrees, the body becomes stressed. In this case, there should be a break of at least 45 minutes every hour.

Heat index is a term that is most often heard when talking about weather in general. The heat index gives you an idea of ​​how dangerous heat can be. The heat index is a measure of how warm it feels to the human body, taking into account temperature and relative humidity. The higher one of the values, the higher the heat index and the greater the stress applied to the body.

Wet thermometer global temperature is similar to the heat index in that it is an indicator of the stress that heat creates on the body. It was first developed for the US military in the 1950s. One of the main differences between the heat index and WBGT is that the latter is calculated by the temperature measured in the sun. While the heat index only considers temperature and relative humidity, WBGT considers a few variables such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle, cloud condition and physical activity.

Our organization also provides heat stress analysis services using the WBGT (wet thermometer global temperature) index, among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies it provides for businesses in various sectors.