Eliminate Human Resource Complaints with Workplace Cooling

You care about the welfare of your employees. You listen and sympathize when they talk about not being able to do their jobs properly because of the heat. Summers, especially in the Southern and Western United States, can be brutal. The heat can take its toll on your employees and even impact the way you do business. Heat-related conditions can be serious, and even deadly. The United States Department of Labor reported that 2,630 workers suffered from heat-related illnesses while on the job in 2014. Overheating can cause a host of health problems for your employees, including heat stroke and heat exhaustion. People who work outdoors in extreme heat are at risk. This includes agricultural workers and construction workers. However, heat-related problems don't just occur for employees who work outdoors. The Centers for Disease Control lists factory workers, bakery workers, miners, and boiler room workers as among those at risk for heat-related health issues. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion endanger the lives of your employees and diminish the productivity of your business. What can your company do to ensure the health and safety of your employees? Here are several ways to keep employees cool on the job.

Install Misting Fans

A misting fan works like a traditional fan for air circulation with one difference--it also distributes a fine mist of water into the air. You can use misting fans indoors or out, making them versatile cooling options. Contrary to what you might think, a misting fan won't make for a soggy environment. The mist evaporates into the hot air, making the air and your worker's cooler. Cool-Off offers misting fans in high-, low-, and mid-pressures, so you can choose the fan to best suit the unique needs of your industry. Portable fans are also available. In most climates, commercial misting fans can lower the temperature up to 30 degrees.

Install a Misting System

Need to cool a large area? A misting system can help. This type of system works by emitting a high-pressure mist through a series of nozzles. The fine mist evaporates quickly, cooling the air and leaving floors dry. Employees working indoors or out will enjoy a cooler working environment, courtesy of a misting system. They will also suffer fewer outbreaks of heat-related illnesses, which can result in loss of time and productivity. These types of misting systems have the added bonus of controlling dust in an industrial setting.

Throw Some Shade

Shade is a classic, low-cost way to cool your worksite. Many outdoor work environments don't have their own natural shade from trees or buildings, so adding your own shade becomes necessary. Construction sites and agricultural operations can benefit by adding shade sails. These sails come in a variety of shapes to suit your space, including triangle, square, and rectangle shades. You can also custom-order shades to fit the specifications of your location.

Other Ways to Stay Heat-Safe

Misting fans, misting systems, and shades are fantastic ways to keep your employees cool. Also be sure your employees stay hydrated. When working outside in the high heat, employees should drink five to seven ounces of water every 15 minutes. They should also be wearing clothing appropriate to the heat and to their job, including hats when applicable. Train employees to know the signs of heat stroke and heat exhaustion, including a headache, slurred speech, weakness, nausea, vomiting, and muscle cramps. Any employee who exhibits these symptoms should be moved to a cool place and given water immediately. Need some help choosing a cooling solution for your business? Ask us! Cool-Off has everything cool under the sun--and the knowledge to help you make your workplace a safer and cooler place.