Original Article(s)

• A Comprehensive Systematic Review of Heat Stress Assessment Questionnaires in Workplace Environments: The Gaps and Recommendations Heat Stress Assessment Questionnaires

  Mohammad Javad SheikhMozafari , Farideh Golbabaei , Ali Mohsenian , Soqrat Omari Shekaftik , Jamal Biganeh

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  Abstract

  Background: Heat stress is considered one of the harmful factors in workplace environments, and prolonged exposure beyond recommended levels can adversely affect workers’ health. Various methods have been proposed to assess heat stress. Questionnaires are among the most important subjective tools, gaining popularity among researchers due to their ease of use and non-intrusiveness for workers. Nonetheless, a comprehensive questionnaire that covers all aspects of heat stress and is recognized as a standard tool by international organizations has not yet been fully established. This study aims to review existing questionnaires used to assess heat stress in workplace environments and compare their various dimensions from 2010 to 2022.
  Methods: First, relevant keywords were extracted. Then, using the chosen search strategy, searches were conducted in the PubMed and Web of Science databases, considering inclusion and exclusion criteria. After thoroughly reviewing the extracted articles (448 in total), 11 articles were selected for final analysis
  Results: The dimensions of “individuals’ perceptions of workplace environmental conditions” and “workload” were included in most studies (8 studies). In contrast, the dimension “availability of work guidelines in hot environments” was mentioned in only one study. Some questions were not categorized within the identified dimensions and were therefore grouped under a “miscellaneous” category.
  Conclusion: The review of questionnaires revealed that none fully covered all aspects of heat stress in workplace environments, likely due to the multifactorial and complex nature of heat stress. These findings suggest a need for the development of a more comprehensive and standardized questionnaire to provide a complete assessment of heat stress.