Background: Physical and environmental factors can affect both job performance and job satisfaction of the workers. Despite of the progress and improvement made for occupational safety and health, work environment especially in low and middle income countries is still hazardous for the workers. A large number of work related injuries and occupational accidents happens around the world each year. This research project aims to map work environment conditions and impact of physical environmental factors on occupational health in Punjab – Pakistan. Methods: Total eight micro and small industries in Lahore and Gujaranwala were visited during winter and summer season separately. Physical factors of light, noise and temperature were recorded for six hours during winter. A quantitive questionnaire was filled from 138 workers and an inspection of workplace was made by using ILO ergonomics checklist. Modified Testo 177 and Lascar data loggers were used to measure air (ta), globe (tg), natural wet bulb (tnw) temperatures and relative humidity (RH) to calculate the WBGT index. Result: Mean age of workers was 28.6 ± 10.5 years working for 8.8 ± 1.5 hours a day at a metabolic rate of 165 W/m2 (ISO 7243 level of exertion) and had 0.5 – 1 hour rest. In cold season the average indoor WBGT was 16.0 ± 2.5 ºC and in hot season the average indoor WBGT was 29.9 ± 5.5 ºC and indoor air velocity was 0.7 ± 0.3 m/s. Noise was recorded for time weightage average (TWA) and recorded a range of 73.1 dB (A) to 91.7 dB (A). Minimum intensity of 41.5 lux for light was recorded in one industry. Conclusion: A noise level of less than 85 dB (A) and light of 400 lux to 800 lux will improve physical and psychosocial work environment. Heat stress monitoring policy can be implemented by using ISO 7243. ILO ergonomic checklist can prove an important tool to make assessment and recommendations for working environments in Pakistan. Key Words: WBGT, Physical and environmental factors, Occupational healt
