ABSTRACT
The aim of this paper is to study the effects of heat exposure in hot thermal environments in the Portuguese ceramic industry, applying the PHS model. This index was the result of an extensive research project on the assessment of hot working conditions (Malchaire et al., 2001). One of the main objectives was to improve the methods available to assess the risks of heat disorders at the workplace, and in particular the “Required Sweat Rate” model as presented in International Standard ISO 7933 Standard (1989). The outcome of this project was the Predicted Heat Strain index (PHS), later adopted by ISO as an heat stress index (ISO Standard 7933, 2004). Moreover, in order to assess the risk of heat disorders, a strategy based on the three highest stages of the SOBANE strategy (Observation, Analysis and Expert) was developed (Malchaire, 2006).
