We’ve talked about how mechanical insulation can save you money, protect your equipment, and reduce emissions, but we want to dedicate this week’s article to outlining all the ways that insulation protects your most valuable asset: your people. Workplace safety is a top priority for employers, whether their facility is industrial, commercial, or even office space. Installed by a professional, a great insulation design system can help drastically reduce the risk of these four common workplace hazards.
Burns
Both high-temperature and cryogenic processes can greatly impact the surfaces around them. Metal pipes and the like can be especially susceptible to extreme hot or freezing cold. Personnel working in and around the area are trained to stay alert and aware of their surroundings, but the proximity to these searing surfaces can ultimately result in serious burns. Mechanical insulation acts as a physical barrier that will keep the surface of the pipe or piece of equipment at or near the ambient temperature of the room. Think of it as PPE for your pipes! That way any intentional touching or even accidental brushing won’t end up in an emergency room visit and a WCB claim.
Slips & Falls
All air contains even minute amounts of water. In the right conditions, the moisture will condense and form droplets. This is known as the dew point. This effect can be beautiful on a lovely spring morning, but has much darker significance if this happens in the workplace. Built-up moisture can collect and eventually spill down onto walking surfaces. Below ambient systems such as refrigeration and cool air ducts are particularly prone to this phenomenon. Slips and falls are a common result of this excess moisture. Insulation installed at the appropriate thickness raises the surface temperature above the dew point so that water does not collect and end up on the ground.
Mould & Mildew
When it comes to condensation, slipping isn’t the only hazard created. Warm, dark, and moist environments are the perfect breeding ground for mould and mildew. Once established, these fungi multiply through spores, infecting large areas in a relatively short period of time. This greatly impacts the indoor air quality of the facility, posing health problems such as throat irritation, headaches, and difficulty concentrating. According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, the best way to eliminate these fungal hazards is to prevent them in the first place through moisture control. A key piece of that is to insulate cold surfaces wherever possible.
Noise-Related Injury
Incessant and loud noise in the workplace can cause two types of problems: health issues and safety concerns due to workers not being able to hear each other or listen for other hazards. In terms of health issues, we know that noise can cause hearing loss, but experts are also seeing that it can cause high blood pressure and heart disease among other problems. In industrial workspaces, keeping those loud sounds at bay can be particularly challenging. Well-placed insulation can be used to dampen or even completely soundproof by absorbing the vibrations created by the banging, grinding, and general processes of the machinery in that area. Having these measures in place will increase the comfort, safety, and productivity of the worksite.
Your people are the heart and soul of your facility. Keep them safe by investing in quality insulation and experienced installers. Through our Calgary-based office, our knowledgeable staff will assess the needs of your workplace and design a customized insulation system to meet those needs. Contact us today to get started!
