Introduction: As in any profession, laboratory dental prosthetics face a variety of risks and burdens during their work in workplace. Workplace risks can be physical, chemical, biological, and psychosocial. Purpose: To determine the working conditions of laboratory dental prosthetics. We measured physical parameters (microclimate, illuminance, and noise) and calculated perceived temperature, predicted mean vote (PMV), and predicted percentage of dissatisfied (PPD) in a selected orthodontic laboratory and in a training laboratory for dental prosthetics. The results were compared with the current legislation and provided measures and recommendations for improvement were made. Methods: We used a quantitative method. To measure physical parameters, we used a microclimate meter (Testo 445), a termographic camera (Flir E6), a noise meter (Brüel & Kjaer 2260 Investigator), and a luminance meter (Testo 545). Results: The results showed that most of the measurements were in accordance with the requirements of the regulations, but there were a few deviations. In the training laboratory for dental prosthetics, the relative humidity was 28.5%, which is below the required minimum of 30%. Temperature measurements in both laboratories were above 24 °C, while the regulations require between 19 °C and 24 °C. In the training laboratory the floor temperature of 26.2 °C was not adequate, as the upper limit of the surface temperature of the flooris 26 °C. In the training laboratory, the mean air velocity was 0.16 m/s, which deviates from the recommended 0.15 m/s. Noise levels in both laboratories exceeded the upper limit of 87 dB(A); we measured up to 88.5 dB(A) in the orthodontic laboratory and up to 102 dB(A) in the training laboratory. Discussion and conclusion: In the orthodontic laboratory, we recommend maintaining a slightly lower room temperature and the use of earplugs. In the training laboratory, we recommend the humidifiers, maintaining a slightly lower temperature, reducing the air speed of air-conditioners and the use of earplugs.
|