Background Heat stress is a well-known occupational health concern. Heavy work under extreme heat exposure has been linked to several illnesses and premature death. In Indonesia, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the ninth deadliest disease and the treatment for CKD tops the list of the health care spending´s.

Objectives o Evaluate the heat exposure for industry workers in West Java, Indonesia

o Demonstrate the workers´ perceptions of the heat situation

Methods A pilot study was conducted on two industries in February 2017, winter season in West Java. Heat measures were taken using wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT). Interviews were conducted using HOTHAPS questionnaire with 54 male workers. Medical records from the occupational health unit were also available.

Result The pilot study showed that workers were exposed to heat above threshold limit value (28°) in 48% of the WBGT measurements. 54% of the workers interviewed were uncomfortable with the ambient temperature. 8% of the workers had abnormal creatinine levels (≥1,2 mg/dl) indicating a severe problem with heat exposure. An extended data collection is planned for July to investigate the heat impacts of the summer season, and to include female workers.

Conclusion Heat exposure at work leads to negative health outcomes for the industry workers. Further investigations on the workers´ perceptions of heat is necessary for refining, creating and implementing heat prevention strategies.