Staying cool: The cost of heat stress in the workplace and how big fans make a big difference

The warehouse, manufacturing and distribution sectors operate in high labour and often heat intensive environments. This can lead to heat stress, which is proven to result in lost productivity through lowered cognitive functions, absenteeism and lowered physical capabilities.

With climate scientists predicting an increase in heat waves of greater intensity, government bodies and global health authorities are recommending companies adopt adaptation measures as a matter of urgency to avoid severe economic impacts from labour productivity loss.

What is heat stress?

Before delving into how to overcome heat stress, it’s important to understand what it is and how it can affect individuals and a business. The human body is constantly working to maintain an ideal temperature of 36–37°Celsius. Heat stress occurs when the body is unable to cool itself enough to maintain a healthy body temperature. It relates to the total heat load on the body from all sources, including ambient air temperature, radiant heat, air movement, relative humidity, clothing and physical exertion.

Heat strain, on the other hand, is how the body responds to heat stress. It is dependent on physical fitness, acclimatisation, medical conditions, age, general health, weight, hydration levels and medications.

The importance of mitigating heat stress in the workplace

Exposure to heat has killed more people in Australia than the sum of all other natural hazards, according to a 2014 report published by the journal, Environmental Science & Policyⁱ. Worryingly, studies show workers routinely overestimate their heat tolerance, believing they are capable of continued work in high heat.ⁱⁱ This is of concern for managers responsible for worker safety.

A New York Times article (July 15, 2021) reported new research that shows heat stress has led to an additional 20,000 workplace injuries each year in California alone. This is alarming when you consider how much harsher Australia’s climate can be in comparison. The data suggests heat increases the incidence of workplace injuries — such as falling, being struck by machinery or mishandling machinery — by making it harder to concentrate.ⁱⁱⁱ

Heat stress also reduces productivity. Most workers will naturally reduce work intensity and/or limit working hours in response to heat stress in a bid to minimise body heat production^iv.

A report published in the journal, Nature Climate Change^v, estimated the cost of work absenteeism and reductions in work performance caused by heat in Australia during 2013/14 was approximately $885 per person across a representative sample of 1726 employees. This amounts to an annual economic burden of approximately $8.3 billion for the Australian workforce.

Essential responsibilities for managers

Australian Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) laws do not specify a ‘stop work’ temperature. However, WHS law does require any person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) to monitor temperatures in the workplace and eliminate or minimise the risks of working in heat. “The model Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities recommends that work be carried out in an environment where the temperature range is comfortable for workers and suits the work they carry out.”^ix

How fans make workers feel much cooler

Fans cool people, not rooms. They create airflow that quickly evaporates perspiration from the skin, carrying away heat. They also reduce the thickness of hot, humid air that builds up around workers. This improves heat dissipation and helps people’s natural cooling mechanisms to function more efficiently.

A common misconception is that fans don’t provide a cooling benefit when the air is above 36 degrees Celsius. As long as the person is sweating and the air isn’t 100% saturated with humidity, airflow from fans can still provide evaporative cooling.

Why Big Ass Fans?

Big Ass Fans is the world leader in transforming warehouse and logistic spaces with innovative ceiling fans. Having engineered and manufactured premium fans since its inception in 1999 in the United States, it now sells fans in 175 countries. The company has had an Australian presence since 2008, with an office and warehouse in Brisbane.

In naturally ventilated spaces, fresh air is passively distributed throughout the space, so localised areas may have stagnant pockets that result in poor air quality and the build-up of pollutants. Big Ass Fans’ HVLS fans dilute these pockets and increase the circulation of fresh air, evenly distributing it throughout the space and improving warehouse air quality.

Leading the way in innovation and research

Big Ass Fans leads the way in innovation and research as well as its commitment to safety and comfort. It has developed its own research and development (R&D) facility in the US, where it conducts extensive research and testing. This laboratory is a LEED® Gold certified facility dedicated to developing energy-efficient fans. No other facility exists to meet the unique requirements and challenges of testing large-diameter ceiling fans.

When NASA gives you the thumbs up, you know you’re doing something right. Download our Whitepaper for ways to mitigate heat stress and real-world examples of companies like NASA reducing heat stress. For more information, click here.

References

i Coates, L., Haynes, K., O’Brien, J., McAneney, J., Dimer de Oliveira, F. (2014) ‘Exploring 167 years of vulnerability: An examination of extreme heat events in Australia 1844–2010, Environmental Science & Policy, Volume 42, 33–44.

ii Hanna, L. (2017) ‘Coping with the Heat. Mismatch: Perceptions v Reality’, presented at the 15th World Congress on Public Health at Melbourne Convention Centre.

iii Flavelle, C. ‘Work Injuries Tied to Heat are Vastly Undercounted, Study Finds’, New York Times (July 17, 2021).

iv I Parsons, K. (2002) Human Thermal Environments: The Effects of Hot, Moderate, and Cold Environments on Human Health, Comfort and Permanence, CRC Press, London.

v I Zander, K., Botzen, W., Oppermann, E., Kjellstrom, T., Garnett, S. (2015) ‘Heat stress causes substantial labour productivity loss in Australia’, Nature Climate Change, 5, 647–651.

Image credit: Big Ass Fans