10 replies to this topic

[yorkshire]

Hello everybody,

I'm looking for some ideas.
During the hot weather here in the UK the temperatures in our factory have been reaching 39 C (averaging about 34 C). Staff, including myself, are finding it difficult to work and although we have cooled water fountains in each room people are still getting dehydrated. Does anyone know of a company who will supply rehydrating / isotonic drinks which can be dispensed from bulk? (will they be any better than water?)

Or do you have any other ideas on how to boost staff morale?

Cheers

Edited by yorkshire, 07 July 2006 - 08:31 AM.

[Simon]

Hello everybody,

I'm looking for some ideas.
During the hot weather here in the UK the temperatures in our factory have been reaching 39 C (averaging about 34 C). Staff, including myself, are finding it difficult to work and although we have cooled water fountains in each room people are still getting dehydrated. Does anyone know of a company who will supply rehydrating / isotonic drinks which can be dispensed from bulk? (will they be any better than water?)

Or do you have any other ideas on how to boost staff morale?

Cheers

I agree it's difficult for those 2 or 3 weeks of very hot water; not really long enough to warrant the installation of air conditioning across the factory. How about you give operators an extra couple of 10 minute ice lolly breaks a shift. It won't really do much for the heat but it might help to keep up staff morale.

Simon

[yorkshire]

Thanks Simon,

We have already given a couple of extra breaks and we're going to install fans above the water fountains so that staff can cool down while having a drink.

not really long enough to warrant the installation of air conditioning across the factory.

The air conditioned rooms till tend warm (29C) and at this time of year they always tend to break down.

Are we just wimps in this country? How do hot countries cope?

[Simon]

Are we just wimps in this country? How do hot countries cope?

I think it's probably a case of what you're used to - err yes we are wimps. BTW we've had our two weeks of summer so it's crisis over.

[Simon]

I found this article Yorky:

Bosses Told to `Cool It`

I think most factories without aircon (most factories) would have been well over 30C these past few weeks. And with the rise in summer temperatures predicted to continue, temperature control may become more than just a few moaning employees in the future.

Regards,
Simon

[mrfoodlaw]

I found this article Yorky:

Bosses Told to `Cool It`

I think most factories without aircon (most factories) would have been well over 30C these past few weeks. And with the rise in summer temperatures predicted to continue, temperature control may become more than just a few moaning employees in the future.

Regards,
Simon

you could try relaxing the dress code where you can (not always practical on the factory floor mind) theres nothing worse then being stuck in a tie on a day like this.

On a personal (and unrelated to your question) note I'm a fan of sticking a bunch of seedless grapes in the freezer and eating them the next day.. a great way to cool down!

[Simon]

you could try relaxing the dress code where you can (not always practical on the factory floor mind) theres nothing worse then being stuck in a tie on a day like this.

Not nice, but not as bad as a boiler suit

On a personal (and unrelated to your question) note I'm a fan of sticking a bunch of seedless grapes in the freezer and eating them the next day.. a great way to cool down!

I wil try that - healthy too!

Thanks,
Simon

[DaveB]

Down here in New Zealand we often encounter this issue and here are 2 ways we deal with it in our warehouse.
The company that supplies our drinking fountains offer a range of plain, flavoured and isotonic waters which we alternate depending on weather or work demands.
My personal favourite though, is to have the supervisors take drinks to their team members on a regular cycle throughout the day. This allows supervisors to ensure that teams are rehydrating, and improves team moral by showing team members that management are actively concerned about their wellbeing.

[Charles.C]

Dear DaveB.
Welcome to the forum.
Forgive my ignorance but is this isotonic water the same thing one gets in microbiology, ie salt enhanced? I didn't realise people drink it.
I deduce that the supervisors themselves do not need any supplements.
Rgds / Charles.C

[Simon]

Down here in New Zealand we often encounter this issue and here are 2 ways we deal with it in our warehouse.
The company that supplies our drinking fountains offer a range of plain, flavoured and isotonic waters which we alternate depending on weather or work demands.
My personal favourite though, is to have the supervisors take drinks to their team members on a regular cycle throughout the day. This allows supervisors to ensure that teams are rehydrating, and improves team moral by showing team members that management are actively concerned about their wellbeing.

I suppose this issue is the world over and it's interesting to hear others creative ideas on dealing with the probelm. I like the isotonic idea.

Welcome to the forums Dave - I think you're our first from NZ - well our first active member anyhow.

Regards,
Simon

[yorkshire]

Tanks DaveB

We had a supplier of isotonic drinks fountains in but they said each unit would cope with about 20 employees, our site has 600!

My personal favourite though, is to have the supervisors take drinks to their team members on a regular cycle throughout the day. This allows supervisors to ensure that teams are rehydrating, and improves team moral by showing team members that management are actively concerned about their wellbeing.

This is a great idea, we currently have a few students going round every couple of hours. If the supervisors did this even once a day this would show some caring.

Charles, Isotonic drinks are quite big over here but I don't think many people know what they are. Having looked up about them before I believe that they are basically a fruit cordial drink with a bit of salt in.

Edited by yorkshire, 01 August 2006 - 03:44 PM.