Dock equipment keeps conditioned air inside. HVLS fans circulate air to boost employee comfort, safety, and efficiency.
Hot and humid weather during the summer months can present major challenges for industrial 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 temperatures and a myriad of other reasons, facility managers are facing a perfect storm of heat-related issues this summer. electric roller shutter
Fortunately, there are several ways to address this problem—from proper loading dock seals and shelters preventing conditioned air from escaping a facility 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 potentially 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 symptoms are similar to heat fatigue but can also include diarrhea, nausea, and disorientation. Heat stroke is the most serious heat stress disorder. It occurs when the body’s systems of temperature regulation fail and body temperatures rise to potentially fatal levels. It can be marked by an absence of sweating, as well as confusion, fainting, and/or convulsions. Hospitalization is a must for anyone who suffers a heat stroke.
Challenges in Heat Stress Control Warehouses and loading docks are inherently fast-paced and dangerous environments. Unfortunately, most loading docks are not air-conditioned and most dock staging areas have tall ceilings, making them hard to cool even if they are air-conditioned. The frequent opening and closing of doors is another added challenge to heat moderation.
This article originally appeared in the March 2018 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.
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