Thermal stress occurs when a worker’s body is exposed to very high or very low temperatures and can no longer regulate its internal temperature efficiently. This directly impacts health, concentration, and safety during the workday—especially in industrial environments with intense thermal variation.
Exposure to heat or cold affects heart rate and both physical and mental performance. That’s why monitoring physiological data is essential to act before symptoms compromise safety or productivity.
How thermal stress monitoring works in Dersalis
When creating or editing a monitoring profile, you can select the type of data to track. In the case of thermal stress, the logic is based on two main scenarios: heat and cold.
🔸 Reference values
High temperature (heat):
Heart Rate (HR) ≥ 120 bpm
Temperature ≥ 40 °C
Low temperature (cold):
HR ≥ 120 bpm or HR ≤ 60 bpm
Temperature ≤ 15 °C
To register an event, these values must remain active for at least 10 minutes.
Configurable variables
You can set:
The heart rate threshold
The temperature limit
The minimum continuous analysis time
These configurations allow monitoring to be adapted to the thermal conditions of each work environment.
What can cause thermal stress?
Heat: Impaired heat exchange with the environment, excessive sweating, fluid and electrolyte loss. Common in operations such as boilers, foundries, kilns, steel mills, and environments near high-radiation heat sources.
Cold: Peripheral vasoconstriction, shivering, impaired movement, and loss of precision. Common in cold storage units, open logistics warehouses, cold rolling processes, and outdoor work in cold climates.
Other common factors: Use of impermeable PPE (e.g., aluminized suits), poorly ventilated spaces, direct sun exposure, and work in confined environments with low airflow. These conditions increase the risk of both overheating and hypothermia.
Advantages
Scheduled breaks based on real-time physiological data
Custom thresholds for heat and cold exposure
Accident prevention due to reduced alertness or focus
Supports risk management and compliance with NR-15, ISO 7243, and ISO 9886
Operational recommendations
Instruct employees to rest in shaded or climate-controlled areas
Ensure hydration and proper clothing for the work environment
Monitor thermal stress alerts directly on the Dersalis platform for quick action
References
ISO 7243:2017 – Ergonomics of the thermal environment
https://www.iso.org/standard/67188.htmlISO 9886:2004 – Ergonomics—Evaluation of thermal strain by physiological measurements
https://www.iso.org/standard/34115.htmlNR-15 – Atividades e Operações Insalubres (Brazil)
https://www.gov.br/trabalho-e-emprego/pt-br/assuntos/inspecao/seguranca-e-saude-no-trabalho/normas-regulamentadoras/nr-15NIOSH Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Heat and Hot Environments (2016)
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2016-106/Kong, W. et al. (2023). Occupational Heat Stress in Industrial Environments: Assessment and Control
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003687023000546