In the human body, the balance between heat production and heat loss is continuously being disturbed, either by changes in metabolic rate (work being the most influential) or by changes in the external environment (heat stress), which alters heat loss. These changes in body temperature can adversely affect the function of body systems and organs. As a result, heat production or heat loss processes are triggered in order to restore normal body temperature (36 - 37C). If the heat generating systems of the body are excessive or the environment hostile then the capacity of the body to maintain thermal homeostasis is exceeded and can lead to a serious threat to health, or even death. This health deficit can severely affect an individual's capacity to work optimally; the end result is both poor productivity and health. Strategies to minimise or eliminate this effort will benefit both the health of workers and the productivity of companies._x000D_
The principal strategies to reduce the effects of the environment on workers are: engineering interventions: to improve environmental conditions and reduce heat stress; and a comprehensive working in heat protocol: with provisions to identify risk situations and procedures to be adopted in relation to these._x000D_
The above points will be discussed in detail with practical and simple strategies proposed to combat the deleterious effects of heat in mining._x000D_
FORMAL CITATION:Bates, G P, 2005. Minimising the effects of environment on health and productivity, in Proceedings Ninth Underground Operators' Conference 2005, pp 381-384 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).