Strategy for evaluation and prevention of risk due to work in thermal environments

A strategy in four successive stages is described and justified for the pre vention and control of thermal problems in the workplace. This should allow these problems to be approached and sol,ed progressively in small as well as large companies by relying successively, when necessary, on the compleme ntary competencies of the workers themselves, their technical assistance, t he occupational health specialists and the experts. The criteria to fulfil at each stage are described and discussed. Appendix 1 describes in detail t he methods to be used at stage 2, "Observation" by the workers and their as sistance; at stage 3, "Analysis" with the help of specialists; and outlines the stage 4, "Expertise". (C) 1999 British Occupational Hygiene Society, P ublished by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.