Page 73 - Occupational Health & Safety, June 2019

HEAT STRESS
Controlling Climate and Managing Heat Stress
HVLS fans, fabric diffusers, and curtain walls provide temperature control solutions.
BY ANDY OLSON
for employees. Keeping workers comfortable with high-volume, low-speed (HVLS) fans, fabric diffuser systems, and fabric curtain walls can increase their productivity and maintain their well-being. Before taking an in-depth look at these solutions, let’s look at some of the signs workers exhibit that will tip off fa- cility managers that they need to control their indoor climate more effectively.
Signs of Heat Stress
Workers who appear lethargic might not just be lazy. They might be experiencing a form of heat stress. This not only hampers productivity; heat stress can lead to potentially dangerous mistakes that harm others. If not addressed right away, heat stress can result in a hospital visit or even death.
Workers will begin to lose concentration and per- form erratically when experiencing heat fatigue. Some will even show symptoms with heat rash. These are the first warning signs. In these cases, workers should take a break and drink water or a sports drink to re- plenish electrolytes, which is important when exces- sive sweating occurs.
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 include diar- rhea, nausea, and disorientation.
Heat stroke is the most serious heat stress disor- der. It occurs when the body’s systems of tempera- ture regulation fail and body temperatures rise to potentially fatal levels. It can be marked by an ab- sence of sweating, as well as confusion, fainting, and/ or convulsions. Hospitalization is a must for anyone who suffers a heat stroke.
Addressing Heat Stroke
If multiple workers experience heat stress symptoms on a regular basis, there is reason for action. As men- tioned earlier, providing rest and hydration breaks is a first step. However, there are various ways to enhance the work environment with in-plant solutions that make it easier to deliver cool air and manage tem- perature. Some of these facility upgrades include us- ing HVLS fans to circulate air, fabric diffusers to dis-
Fabric dispersion systems arRe used in a variety of industries that require precise air flow.
ising temperatures. E-commerce growth. Escalating consumer expectations. The heat is on this summer—specifically on workers in storage warehouses and 3PLs.
Hot in-plant temperatures can negatively impact employee productivity and create health hazards. Due to the large, cavernous layouts of these types of facili- ties, and the ever-shrinking delivery times that today’s online shoppers expect, it’s difficult for warehouse workers to “keep their cool,” especially during June, July, and August.
While there is no one way to address this climate challenge, there are a variety of products facility man- agers can implement to improve working conditions
www.ohsonline.com
JUNE 2019 | Occupational Health & Safety 69
RITE-HITE