Calculating Workplace WBGT from Meteorological Data: A Tool for Climate Change Assessment

LEMKE, Bruno; KJELLSTROM, Tord

doi:10.2486/indhealth.ms1352

Cited by 394Thermoregulation and physiological responsesClimate Change and Health ImpactsOccupational Health and Safety in Workplaces

Calculating Workplace WBGT from Meteorological Data: A Tool for Climate Change Assessment

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LEMKE, Bruno, KJELLSTROM, Tord·2012·Industrial Health

DOI 10.2486/indhealth.ms1352

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Abstract

The WBGT heat stress index has been well tested under a variety of climatic conditions and quantitative links have been established between WBGT and the work-rest cycles needed to prevent heat stress effects at the workplace. While there are more specific methods based on individual physiological measurements to determine heat strain in an individual worker, the WBGT index is used in international and national standards to specify workplace heat stress risks. In order to assess time trends of occupational heat exposure at population level, weather station records or climate modelling are the most widely available data sources. The prescribed method to measure WBGT requires special equipment which is not used at weather stations. We compared published methods to calculate outdoor and indoor WBGT from standard climate data, such as air temperature, dew point temperature, wind speed and solar radiation. Specific criteria for recommending a method were developed and original measurements were used to evaluate the different methods. We recommend the method of Liljegren et al. (2008) for calculating outdoor WBGT and the method by Bernard et al. (1999) for indoor WBGT when estimating climate change impacts on occupational heat stress at a population level.

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In-shade or indoor WBGT values can be calculated from routine weather station data using mathematical formulas.
“The in-shade or indoor values can also be calculated from routine weather station data using mathematical formulas (2,50,51).”
From Heat, Human Performance, and Occupational Health: A Key Issue for the Assessment of Global Climate Change Impacts (2016) · cites this paper as [50]
The impact of air movements on heat stress varies little at speeds above about 1 m/s.
“the impact of air movements on heat stress varies little at speeds above ∼1 m/s (50).”
From Heat, Human Performance, and Occupational Health: A Key Issue for the Assessment of Global Climate Change Impacts (2016) · cites this paper as [50]

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Review Article Calculating Workplace WBGT from Meteorological Data: A Tool for Climate Change Assessment
Lemke, B., & Kjellstrom, T. E. (2011)
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Authors: LEMKE, B., & KJELLSTROM, T.
Affiliations: Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NZ)
Australian National University (AU)
ORCID: KJELLSTROM, Tord
Venue: Industrial Health
Publisher: National Institute of Industrial Health
Published: 2012
Volume: 50
Issue: 4
Pages: 267-278
ISSN: 0019-8366 (ISSN-L)
1880-8026
DOI: 10.2486/indhealth.ms1352
OpenAlex: W2131067254
Cited by: 394
References: 35
Citations by year: 2026: 44 · 2025: 50 · 2024: 38 · 2023: 38 · 2022: 40 · 2021: 43 · 2020: 32 · 2019: 27 · 2018: 23 · 2017: 23 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 5
FWCI: 0.86
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: bronze
doi.org
Locations: Industrial Health (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
ANU Open Research (Australian National University) (submittedVersion)
Funders: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
U.S. Air Force
Topics: Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Thermoregulation and physiological responses
Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Climate Change and Health Impacts
Health Sciences › Health Professions › Occupational Therapy › Occupational Health and Safety in Workplaces
Keywords: wet bulb globe temperature, heat stress indices, occupational heat stress, climate change impacts, weather station data, air temperature, dew point, solar radiation, wind speed, method comparison
MeSH terms: Environment, Humans, Weather, Workplace, Heat Stress Disorders, Mathematical Concepts, Climate Change

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Calculating Workplace WBGT from Meteorological Data: A Tool for Climate Change Assessment

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