Physiological responses of core and skin temperature of two age groups to working in the cold at −3°C and −24°C

It has not yet been established whether an age-related organization of the work and rest times for order-pickers working in deep cold-storage depots with chill room and cold store is necessary or not. In order to assess the physical effects of order-picking of cold food at about +3°C and of frozen food at about −24°C, 30 male subjects (Ss) were classified into two age groups (20- to 35-year-olds and 40- to 65-year-olds). Their body core temperature was taken every 15 min at the tympanum, and the skin temperature was measured at several positions during whole-day working shifts. The discontinuously registered temperature at the tympanum yielded a decrease of up to 1.5K in the case of the younger Ss and of up to 2.2K for the older Ss in comparison to the value at the outset. A complete warming-up during the breaks was often not possible. The slight falling of the core temperature during the work in the cold store, measured for both age groups to a different extent, could be compensated by all Ss during the breaks. There were no age-related differences in the results of the measured skin temperatures. Significantly lower temperatures were recorded merely at the nose as well as at the fingers and the toes when working in the cold store. The work in the chill room can be considered as unproblematic.