The digital transformation of the economy and society prompts the renewal of methods in occupational health as well. There are outlined fundamentals of the draft revision of the “Guidelines for the Assessment of Occupational Risk to Employee Health. Organizational and methodological foundations, principles and criteria for the assessment». R 2.2.1766-03. The draft contains methods of occupational risk (OR) assessment supplied with information materials and software for working on the Internet in real-time. Algorithms and models for calculating the probability of impairment of health according to data of the Special Assessment of Working Conditions (SAWC) as well as causation algorithms - work-relatedness assessment according to data of periodic medical examinations (PME) for the validity of risk assessment from the standpoint of evidence-based medicine are presented. There are set out methods for calculating the probability of the formation of occupational diseases (OD) of the main nosological forms from the exposure of noise, hand-arm and whole-body vibration, heat and cool microclimate, fibrogenic dusts, physical labor (local, regional and general loads), strenuous work, standing work with the likelihood of varicose lower veins limbs, multi-factor exposure and low-back pain. Risk assessments for the reproductive health of workers are also discussed. The models are based on the documents of the WHO, ILO, ISO, domestic and foreign literature data that meet the principles of evidence-based medicine. The problems of work-related diseases (WRD) - the concept of WHO (1987) -basics of etiology, qualitative and quantitative criteria for causation, models of consensus and evidence-based medicine, as well as projects for integrated work on the detection systems for WRD in the European Union countries are considered. Single-digit indices of working conditions and health problems, moral harm caused to an employee suffering from OD or WRD. Hygienic recommendations to employers on OR management, prevention priorities, the role of personal protection equipment, the basics of corporate health promotion programs, and ethical and economic aspects are described. The calculation methods are provided by the software of the electronic online reference book “Occupational Risk” (URL: http://medtrud.com/) in order to ensure evidence-based decisions of hygienists. In conclusion, a turning point in occupational health is noted: a decrease in the detection of traditional ODs without compensation by the number of OD and WRD from new technologies, materials and risk factors; this problem requires urgent action.

Sanitary and hygienic assessment of overalls for workers in a heating environment is currently carried out only on the physical, mechanical and hygienic properties of the materials from which it is made, not taking into account the effect of clothing on the thermal state of the human body and its heat and moisture exchange with the environment. Th e results of studies of the thermal and functional state of a person performing physical work in a heating environment showed differences in the formation of the thermal load on the body depending on the air temperature and the type of workwear used to protect against production hazards, as well as the significance of the thermophysical parameters of the materials (air permeability, vapor permeability, hygroscopicity) of which it is made. In addition, the development and manufacture of new materials with special protective properties, including using nanotechnology, expanding their assortment for the manufacture of workwear dictates the need to test their protective properties not only at the stands, but also in finished products in experimental studies involving humans. Th erefore, it is urgent to develop a methodology for evaluating workwear according to indicators of a person’s thermal state, which allows determining the degree of influence of the whole complex of environmental factors, labor process and workwear on the thermal state of people working in a heating environment in order to predict it and establish the work schedule in relation to specific conditions. Th e technique is intended for organizations involved in the design and development of workwear used in a heating environment, as well as materials for its manufacture; for testing laboratories performing sanitary-hygienic assessment of personal protective equipment.

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Introduction. The article presents the study results of the effect of personal protective equipment (PPE) from biological factors on the functional state of the medical workers’ body and thermoregulatory reactions when working in the “biohazard zone” of the infectious department. Materials and methods. The study involved twenty five volunteers (doctors and paramedical staff of the infectious diseases department) performing official duties for 5 hours in the “biohazard zone” with an air temperature of 23.9 ± 1.6 ○C and a relative humidity of 39.2 ± 11.8%. Measurements were carried out before the work shift start, during and within 30 minutes after leaving the “biohazard zone” in a room with a comfortable climatic conditions. Recorded indicators were skin temperature, heat, and moisture sensations on 11 areas of the body surface, body temperature (measured in the armpit), heart rate. Based on the obtained data, there were calculated the following parameters including body surface area, average skin, and body temperature, the change in the body’s heat content for each hour of work, moisture loss, and energy consumption. Results. The use of PPE from biological factors leads to a heat and moisture exchange disorder of the human body with the environment, which is expressed in an increase in “shell” and “core” temperature, moisture loss, energy consumption, and, consequently, overheating, the appearance of uncomfortable sensations, as well as working capacity decrease. Limitations. When studying the thermal state of the body of 25 medical workers, the tension of thermoregulatory mechanisms when using biological PPE was established, depending on the type of work performed, and the severity of the labour process, gender, age, and weight. Conclusion. The obtained results showed the greatest impact on the thermal state during work duties in a comfortable climatic conditions to be exerted by the design and thermophysical properties of PPE from biological factors made of vapour resistant and airtight fabrics, as well as a long stay in the “biohazard zone” along with a high degree of psychological stress of their occupational activities.

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