Heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are all a concern as temperatures rise for the summer. Industrial fans and ventilation systems can help keep workers cool to reduce the risk of health and safety hazards from extreme heat. Hot environments can cause overheating, which can lead to heat-related illnesses and even heat-related death. Overheating can also hinder productivity and lead to other injuries. Air circulation and ventilation strategies can aid the body’s natural cooling system.
Industrial Fans and Ventilation Systems Play a Key Role in Keeping Workers Cool
As you likely know, humans maintain a stable internal temperature of around 98.6°F. To do this, we have sophisticated natural systems to help us warm up when we’re cold and cool off when we’re hot. We primarily cool down by sweating. When sweat evaporates from our skin, it takes some of the extra heat away so we can cool down.
However, in extremely hot or humid environments, like you might find in an industrial facility, it can be more difficult for us to cool down this way. Sweat may not evaporate as effectively or quickly, which can lead to overheating and heat stress for workers. Industrial fans and ventilation systems can aid in this process to help reduce the risk of overheating.
Ventilation systems may reduce the risk of heat stress. These systems help remove excess heat inside while fans help provide air circulation. Though fans don’t lower the temperature of the air, they do increase air flow and circulation and help speed up the evaporation process for sweat. It’s like to how a breeze feels nice and refreshing on a hot day in the sun.
The Dangers of Heat Stress & Heat Stroke
Unfortunately, many people don’t know the dangers of overheating. In fact, several people die each year from heat-related illnesses.
Some dangers of overheating include:
- Heat cramps
- Heat rash
- Fainting
- Heat exhaustion
- Heat stroke
When the body loses too much water and salt, heat exhaustion occurs. Heat exhaustion is usually a result of profuse sweating. It can cause confusion, dizziness, fainting, rapid heartbeat, and other serious symptoms. If not treated quickly, this can turn into heat stroke, which is a potentially life-threatening illness that can cause death or permanent disability.
Also, extremely hot environments can also lead to other safety hazards. For example, poor judgement, lack of mental clarity, foggy safety glasses, and sweaty hands that are difficult to grip things with.
Therefore, it’s important to help reduce the risk of heat illness for your workers. A few common solutions to this is to encourage frequent breaks, encourage workers to drink plenty of fluids, and to install industrial ventilation control systems to help aid with reducing indoor temperatures.
Industrial Ventilation Control Options
There are many options to help improve ventilation, air flow, and temperatures inside industrial facilities. It’s important to consider potential risks to design a ventilation system that works effectively for your facility. For instance, a facility with risks for high temperature and high humidity will likely require different ventilation solutions than a facility that may only encounter high temperatures.
Where humidity is also a concern, ventilation specialists may recommend dehumidifiers. For facilities who need cooler temperatures but live in primarily dry climates, evaporative cooling units may help reduce temperatures without adding too much moisture to the air. Of course, high quality industrial fans work well in most facilities for increasing air circulation.
Due to the numerous possibilities for ventilation systems, it’s essential to work with experienced ventilation specialists for your facility.
Let Us Help You Create a Successful Environment
Whether you need ventilation systems for an existing building or new construction, our specialists at Eldridge USA offer durable, cost-effective solutions. We supply a wide selection of ventilation equipment and also offer system design and installation services to help you create a successful environment in your facility. We have over 70 years of experience in a wide range of industries. Get in touch today to learn more and discuss your ventilation needs with our experts.