Page 60 - OHS, June 2021

HEAT STRESS
Recognition and Prevention of Heat Stress
As summer approaches, it’s time to think more about heat precautions in the workplace.
ABY ANDY OLSON
s temperatures outside rise during the summer months, industrial facilities can face major challenges controlling temperatures inside. Not only do excessively warm work conditions put the health of employees at risk, but
they may also cause compliance and insurance issues, as well as facilitate product-damaging mistakes. As the accelerating growth of e-commerce only heightens these issues by accelerating the pace of employee activity, facilities should take steps to ensure a
comfortable and cool workplace this summer.
Thankfully, there are several solutions for controlling indoor
air quality and temperature, ranging from high-volume, low- speed (HVLS) fans and fabric curtain walls to loading dock seals and fabric ductwork systems. These products can help with environmental control, as well as isolate conditioned and non- conditioned air work zones, thus helping reduce the potential for heat stress and its negative ripple effects on the organization.
56 Occupational Health & Safety | JUNE 2021
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