ASSESSMENT OF INDUSTRIAL THERMAL STRESS IMPACTS IN OMDURMAN LOCALITY

This Cross-sectional description study in Omdurman locality (September 2017- March 2022) attempts to assess thermal stress in industries using a wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) heat stress device to identify occupational health and safety measurements in sectors. Also, this study aims to: differentiate between d differentiate between different heat-related illnesses, heat exhaust, sunburn, and heat cramps, and a sum of 92 other factories that are considered as hot working areas in Omdurman industrial state Sectors included in the survey are food, oil and soaps, iron &metals, plastic, and Cement and derivatives. The study was conducted to assemble database of workers in that location. The study investigated a sample of 241 workers, considering health issues and collecting personal data. The study conducted a questionnaire to study the stress of heat among the 241 workers in 92 industrial factories to examine temperatures exceeding this study found a significant relation between a high score of heat stress measurements (WBGTC0) and heat stress illness; my study also clarified significant association between heat stress(WBGT) and heat stress in all symptoms of heat stress illness except the signs of heat stroke. This study documents the fact lack of following heat stress prevention measures between employers and employees, by way of the supply of suitable meals, training in hot situations, requiring acclimatization on work tasks that could exceed 8 hours, lack of medical check-ups, creating awareness of heat stress risks, sufficient supplies of cold drinking water and proper clothing, and suspending of work upon development of heat stress in the workplace. This study aims to propose the guidelines for Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) for the prevention of heat stress.