Heat in industrial environments: a health hazard and an enemy of productivity
Industrial air conditioning has become a major necessity to guarantee working conditions in environments where the maximum temperature is above 27ºC, which is regulated by law.
Heat is an environmental factor that can have a significant impact on industrial environments. In many industries, workers face high temperatures on a daily basis, which can pose risks to their health and well-being, as well as challenging productivity. In this article, we will explore the effects of heat in industrial environments and the importance of implementing appropriate protective measures.
The impact of heat on health:
When workers are exposed to high temperatures, their health can be at risk. Excessive heat can cause a range of problems, from general malaise to serious illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. These conditions can be dangerous and even life-threatening if not treated properly.
Heat exhaustion is a condition that occurs when the body is unable to regulate its internal temperature due to prolonged exposure to heat. Symptoms include weakness, fatigue, dizziness and nausea. Heat stroke, on the other hand, is a more serious medical emergency that can result in brain damage, seizures and even death. It is crucial that employers are aware of these risks and take steps to prevent them.
Factors that increase the risk of heat:
Several factors can increase the risk of heat in industrial settings. Direct exposure to the sun, lack of adequate ventilation, high humidity, and the use of equipment and machinery that generate additional heat are just a few examples. In addition, certain jobs require the use of protective clothing or safety equipment that can make it difficult to regulate body temperature.
The impact on productivity:
In addition to health risks, heat can also have a significant impact on worker productivity. When temperatures are extremely high, it is common for employees to feel tired, fatigued and less motivated. This can lead to a decrease in concentration, performance and the quality of work performed. Ultimately, a heat-affected workforce can lead to economic losses for companies. In fact, there are numerous studies that quantify the impact they can cause, NASA itself published in its CR-1205-1 report that when internal plant temperatures exceed 29°C, production drops by 18% and loss of accuracy increases by up to 40%.
Protective and preventive measures:
Risk prevention laws state that it is the responsibility of employers to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for their employees, especially when dealing with extreme heat conditions. Some key measures that can be implemented include:
- Providing information and training on the risks associated with heat and how to prevent them.
- Establishing regular rest stops and rest areas with shade or appropriate air-conditioning systems.
- Providing plenty of water to keep workers hydrated.
- Encourage the use of appropriate, breathable clothing and personal protective equipment designed to minimise heat.
- Implement adequate ventilation and cooling systems in work areas.
A promising solution to combat heat in industrial environments is evaporative cooling. This system takes advantage of the natural evaporative cooling principle of water to reduce the ambient temperature. It involves the installation of evaporative coolers, which introduce outside air through a humid medium, creating a cooling effect as the water evaporates. This efficient and sustainable approach not only provides a cooler and more comfortable environment, but also improves air quality by filtering and purifying the incoming air. Evaporative air conditioning is presented as a cost-effective and energy-efficient option that can help protect workers’ health and increase productivity in industrial environments subject to high temperatures.
In this sense, Evaporalia, a Valencian engineering company, a national benchmark in industrial evaporative air conditioning, launched HiCool in January 2023, a low-cost, eco-friendly industrial evaporative air conditioning solution, capable of reducing the temperature in large industrial spaces by between 7° and 20°C with doors and windows open and with an electricity consumption five times lower than that of an air conditioner. It is a clean technology, which, unlike other air conditioning systems that use polluting fluorinated gases, achieves its results only through the efficient use of water. HiCool is environmentally friendly, the ecological impact of this technology translates into a significant reduction in the CO2 emissions required to air-condition industrial workspaces. According to Evaporalia’s calculations, we are talking about millions of tonnes less per year.
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