Investigating Physiological and Perceptual Indicators of Cold Stress among Stone-Cutting Workers in Isfahan City, Iran

Abstract

Background: Cold exposure, especially during the winter months, presents significant hazards for workers, resulting in decreased performance, increased productivity loss, and a higher risk of occupational accidents. This study aims to assess the extent of cold stress among stone-cutting workers in Isfahan City, Iran. Methods: Thirty workers with no prior history of illness were randomly selected for the study, and thermal conditions of their work environment were assessed by measuring indicators of thermal strain, including core and surface body temperatures, heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and physiological responses before the commencement of work and two hours thereafter. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software. Findings: The average wind chill index was 323.63 kcal/m²/h, the wind chill equivalent temperature was 20.3 °C, the minimum required clothing insulation was 0.93 clo, and the cold strain index was 2.15. Based on the results of the cold stress indices, it can be said that the workers were not significantly exposed to cold stress. Conclusion: The findings suggest that at temperatures above 10 °C, with a wind chill index below 400 kcal/m²/h, the possibility of workers being exposed to cold stress is significantly low. Furthermore, the minimum required clothing insulation index proves to be a more reliable metric for assessing cold stress levels in stone-cutting workers. © 2026, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.