On the question of assessing potential risks to the health of workers from physical factors in open areas in the climatic zones of Russia

Physical factors in open areas can have a negative impact on human health. Their potential risks to the health of workers in Russian climatic zones were assessed using the equivalent temperature (EvT) and the universal thermal index (UTI). EvT was calculated using air temperatures and air velocities; UTI, including air humidity and radiation temperatures. The potential hazard was determined based on the fact that workers performed category IIb work. The hazard classes of working conditions were determined monthly by comparing the data obtained when determining EvT and UTI. Permissible working conditions in a special region in the absence of scheduled breaks according to UTI are 4 months, according to EvT — 6 months; in the presence of breaks, 4 months and 7 months, respectively. In the II (III) climatic region (zone), permissible working conditions according to UTI and EvT under different work modes are 9 months and 9 months, respectively, as well as 9 months and 11 months. The degree of unfavorable working conditions assessed as «hazardous» in the presence of scheduled breaks in a special region according to UTI, 6 months, according to EkvT — 2 months, in the presence of breaks, respectively, 2 months and 0 months; in the II (III) climatic region (belt) 1 and 5 months, as well as 0 and 5 months. The most significant degrees of harm of class 3 are established by the definition of UTI. In two climatic regions, the possibility of using a single approach (one method) — determining the UTI for assessing the microclimate — was demonstrated.The obtained data on the potential danger of physical factors in the open area for humans confirm the need for a special assessment of working conditions to ensure their safety. UTI is the most acceptable for dif ferent regions of the country.