Indoor heat management options
Given OSHAs impending rule-making for heat exposure, I was hoping we could share some best practices to be prepared as we head into summer.
We have a 24/7 warehouse with nearly 700 employees and currently we do the following:
Free squincher ice pops
Extra break in AC cafeteria on hot days (establishing a numerical threshold for this)
Fans for gross and local cooling
Screened dock doors
Free neckerchief cooling bands
Free bottled water on hot days
What do you do to manage heat? Last year the ice pops were a huge hit, and if there’s anything else we could be doing for a big impact we would like to start it.
Comments (3)
I have used tents with cooling stations as well. Fans that blow a mist.
Workers rotation if possible.
I have also developed a threshold when work must cease here in the Carolina’s. Typically not far above 100 degrees.
Probably already doing, but worth adding Heat Stress training to your list.
We're looking at enclosing some operator stations that have A/C ports to them with strip curtains, so they're sort-of like reverse greenhouses. Our curing presses are HOT, and our operators stand near them. If we can keep A/C going to a smaller area where they can take breaks, that will help.
Ice vests are also an option. Not ideal, but feasible.
Look into Power Breezer fans - they use evaporative cooling and are awesome.
Sqwincher also makes electrolyte powder sticks that people can add to water.
Allowing people to wear shorts (Maybe set an inseam limit, like 11" or something)/tank tops, if possible.
Miniature fans on forklifts that attach via a clip or magnet to cool the drivers.
They make hats/ballcaps that are cooling, similar to those neckbands as well.