title: Subjective analysis of cold thermal environments.
abstract: The present work is dedicated to the study of cold thermal environments in food distribution industrial units through a subjective assessment based on an individual questionnaire which aims to describe the working conditions of employees often exposed to cold. The survey was carried out in Portugal and the sample consists of 1575 valid responses obtained in 61 industrial units. The results show that the food distribution activity sector is characterized by a female population (78.1%) and by a young work force (63.4% of the workers are less than 35 years old). Despite the availability of cold protective clothing (52.8% of the workers indicate one garment) its characteristics require improvements. In addition almost 1/3 of the respondents consider the thermal environment cold and 79.6% of the workers report that working in the cold is harder in wintertime. The results also highlight that 37.3% of the workers report having health problems.
authors: ADAI, LAETA, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Pólo II, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal(1); Coimbra Institute of Engineering, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rua Pedro Nunes, Quinta da Nora, 3030-199 Coimbra, Portugal(2). Electronic address: avfmo@isec.pt.
authors: A Virgílio M
authors: AV
authors: Oliveira
authors: ADAI, LAETA, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Pólo II, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal(1).
authors: Adélio R
authors: AR
authors: Gaspar
authors: ADAI, LAETA, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Pólo II, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal(1).
authors: Jorge S
authors: JS
authors: André
authors: ADAI, LAETA, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Pólo II, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal(1).
authors: Divo A
authors: DA
authors: Quintela
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003080:Cold Temperature; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D019649:Food Industry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011174:Portugal / Q000453:epidemiology; D011481:Protective Clothing; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017132:Workplace; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cold thermal environments; Questionnaires; Subjective assessment