It is not your imagination. The world is truly getting hotter year after year. Just about every single state in the U.S. has been experiencing the warmest temperatures of any summer since 1970, and it will probably only get hotter as time goes on. All business owners must be very cautious when having employees work during these extreme temperatures.
Management must understand the risks and be proactive in putting the proper protections in place for the safety of their staff and the longevity of the beer. Let’s talk about how to effectively beat the heat at your brewery.
Be Aware of the Warning Signs
Although you may already have some staff protections in place, it is important to understand the risks of working in extreme temperatures and the signs that you should be aware of before your employees get hurt. Managers must walk around the brewery and other working environments to determine if it is too hot or too humid and if changes must be made. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends that employers keep thermostats at between 68 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit to create a comfortable and safe working environment. If the room temp is skyrocketing, then make a change.
Even if you think you are keeping the indoor temperature at a reasonable level, you still need to watch your employees and look out for the signs of heat exhaustion. If your staff begins to complain of headaches, dizziness, body cramps, fast breathing, or they begin to look pale, then you need to take them aside. Let them sit in a cooler area and give them a drink of water. Do not put them back to work until they assure you that they feel better.
Even if your employees do not show physical signs of heat exhaustion, it is still important for management to check in and make sure that everyone is alright. An employee may not complain verbally, but inside, they could be miserable, and that daily feeling can impact their mental health. The fact of the matter is that if your employees are mentally fatigued, then your business can suffer. Employees may call out more often, come to work sick, or simply quit, and that doesn’t help your company’s bottom line or your reputation.
Management Needs To Be Proactive
The best way to beat the heat is to be proactive to ensure that your staff is healthy and happy day after day. Advise your employees to wear clothing that will keep them as cool as possible. That means light-colored or reflective shirts, single-layer clothing, and hats when working outside.
You also need to make sure that your employees are hydrated. Provide as much bottled water as necessary on the hottest days. While the brewery can get busy, employees must remember to actually drink the water throughout the day. Management needs to also set up a break schedule where your employees are allowed to leave the kitchen and have a seat in a cooler place. Make sure there are plenty of fluids in the break room so they are encouraged to drink water.
If your brewery has indoor and outdoor seating, then precautions must be taken in both areas. When outside, your staff is subjected to the punishing sun and dangerous UV rays. The sun is not something to be taken lightly. It can only take one bad sunburn to lead to eventual skin cancer. In addition to protecting outside employees today, it may be wise to add skin checks into their insurance so they can get tested every six months.
To further protect your staff, hats and sunglasses are essential. Employees should also have rotating schedules or at least shorter shifts so they are not outside for 40 hours a week. Make sure that they also get water breaks at least once an hour. Train your staff about the signs of heat exhaustion and have them get help as soon as they feel the effects.
Update Your Brewery and Processes
If it is clear that your brewery is not equipped for the rising temperatures, or you are located somewhere that naturally has a hotter average temperature, then you may need to make some changes around your establishment. For starters, ensure that there is proper ventilation and equipment in the kitchen by adding better exhaust hoods, updating your thermostats, and maintaining your restaurant’s interior insulation. If it is still too hot, then consider installing a rooftop intake unit or opening/installing windows so the air can flow freely.
If you haven’t already and the budget allows, consider adding central air conditioning into your establishment so you can always regulate the temperature and your staff gets better all-around airflow that mobile fans can’t always supply. Make sure to properly maintain your HVAC system to ensure optimal functioning. At a minimum, consider keeping the door between the kitchen and the dining room open so air can flow throughout.
You also need to keep your food safe during hotter months so it doesn’t go bad and hurt your bottom line or your customers. Consider switching to a “cold food only” model during heat waves to cut down on heat-producing cooking methods. If that isn’t possible, then at least have all of your refrigerators maintained and checked before the hottest months to ensure that they will stay strong. When loading the refrigerator, keep raw meat, poultry, and seafood wrapped securely to keep them from spoiling or contaminating other foods.
As you can see, it is essential that you protect your employees during the hottest months for their safety and the good of your business. Consider these tips, and your brewery can beat the heat.
Special thanks to Jori Hamilton for this Great Beer Now guest post!
This is so important. Heat is one of the often overlooked dangers of a workplace, especially one that uses equipment that can give off even more heat.
I can imagine that parts of a brewery or pub could get very hot during the summer months. I think these are extremely important tips.
This is extremely important to look after your employees. It’s just sad that some employers don’t take of their employees.
Awesome info! It is always important to make sure your staff & customers are comfortable and happy at your establishment. It always sucks to go somewhere that is super hot inside, it is miserable.
Excessive heat is so hard! WE get so much of that here.
Sometimes we forget to pay attention to the warning signs but I already learned that the hard way. I haven’t been brewery but I’m sure they need to be careful when they are near it.
Protecting staff is very important and a must for every employer.
Its also been really hot in the philippines lately! Also i agree that our staff should be comfortable when they work!
It’s important to protect your staff and be knowledgeable enough to notice tell-tale signs. Those are some great tips to keep in mind.
BRYAN This is so important.
Heat is one of the often-overlooked dangers