Assessing implications of occupational heat stress on the physiological and productive attributes of small-scale foundry workers in Northern India.

This article focuses on assessing occupational heat stress and its impact on workers' well-being and productivity in small-scale foundry industries in Northern India. Using multiple heat stress indices—including Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), Discomfort Index (DI), Tropical Summer Index (TSI), Heat Strain Score Index (HSSI), and Physiological Strain Index (PSI)—alongside physiological measurements and subjective worker assessments, the study found that furnace and metal pouring sections exhibited heat exposures exceeding permissible limits, with 86.7–90% of workers reporting high thermal discomfort. Physiological data showed elevated core body temperature, skin temperature, and heart rate in these high-heat sections, correlating strongly with heat indices, while estimated productivity losses were highest in metal pouring (53%) and furnace (43.24%) operations. The findings highlight the need for targeted ergonomic and environmental interventions to mitigate heat stress risks and improve health and productivity in these underregulated industrial settings.