Page 16 - Occupational Health & Safety, March 2018

SUMMER HAZARDS/HEAT STRESS
Reducing Heat Stress with HVLS Fans and Dock Seals
Dock equipment keeps conditioned air inside. HVLS fans circulate air to boost employee comfort, safety, and efficiency.
BY ANDY OLSON
Hot and humid weather during the summer months can present major challenges for in- dustrial facilities. Excessive heat issues can directly affect an organization’s bottom line,
causing legal, insurance, and regulatory headaches, not to mention lowering employee productivity and morale. With online commerce driving an ever-faster pace of shipping and receiving, rising average tem- peratures and a myriad of other reasons, facility man- agers are facing a perfect storm of heat-related issues this summer.
Fortunately, there are several ways to address this problem—from proper loading dock seals and shel- ters preventing conditioned air from escaping a facil- ity to the use of high-volume, low-speed (HVLS) fans to circulate air within facilities. Before getting into these solutions, it’s important to understand the types of heat stress that exist, the issues that stem from heat stress, and steps to take if an employee is suffering from heat stress.
Types and Causes of Heat Stress
Heat stress can manifest itself in a variety of forms. While some are less severe than others, all are poten- tially dangerous. The mildest forms are heat fatigue, in which workers begin to lose concentration and perform erratically, and heat rash, which occurs when sweat ducts get plugged and skin becomes agitated and painful. Heat stress may also cause heat cramps in the back, arms, legs, and abdomen. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance caused by prolonged sweating are typically its causes.
Heat exhaustion, heat syncope (fainting), and heat stroke are among the most serious types of heat stress disorders. Heat syncope usually happens because of a pooling of blood in the lower extremities and dilated vessels of the skin, leading to low blood pressure and sudden unconsciousness. Heat exhaustion can occur on its own or as a prelude to fainting. Common symp- toms are similar to heat fatigue but can also include diarrhea, nausea, and disorientation. Heat stroke is
14 Occupational Health & Safety | MARCH 2018
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