WORKING CONDITIONS AND MAJOR OCCUPATIONAL RISK FACTORS IN GAS-CHEMICAL PRODUCTION

Abstract

A comprehensive hygienic assessment of working conditions was conducted among the main occupational groups of a gas-chemical complex to identify the leading workplace and work-process factors determining the level of occupational risk. The study covered 1,432 workers representing 20 occupational groups, and 1,997 occupational hygiene investigation protocols were analyzed. Occupational risks associated with whole-body vibration, chemical exposure, relative humidity and air velocity, as well as artificial lighting during the day shift, were classified as minimal (Class 2). Air temperature during the cold season was associated with a low occupational risk (Class 3.1), while noise exposure corresponded to a moderate risk (Class 3.2). Depending on the characteristics of the work performed, physical workload and work-process intensity were associated with low (Class 3.1), moderate (Class 3.2), and above-average (Class 3.3) occupational risks.