Hygienic assessment of contribution made by cooling meteorological factors into occupational risks of health disorders for workers who have to work outdoors in cold season

Effects produced by hazardous occupational factors on workers employed in oil extraction often occur under low temperatures when workers have to perform their tasks outdoors. Our research goal was to assess a contribution made by cooling meteorological factors into health risks for workers performing their job tasks outdoors during a cold season in order to substantiate priority prevention activities. The research was performed on workers employed by a large oil extracting company who spent different amount of time outdoors during a cold season. A posteriori group risk was assessed according to the Guide as per results obtained via periodical medical examinations in 2017-2018. Working conditions were assessed basing on a report obtained via special assessment of working conditions and industrial control results. Cooling microclimate was assessed according to G 2.2.2006-05. Basing on the results of a priori group risk assessment, work places were ranked as per health disorders probability. It was shown that in-plant noise was the leading factor causing health risks. Besides, when working experience exceeded 20 years, cooling meteorological conditions also made a substantial contribution into risks occurrence. Obtained results indicate that it is necessary to develop medical and prevention activities for workers who have to spend a lot of time outdoors in areas with cold climatic conditions.