草榴社区

aerial view of Western's campus at night, with golden lights surrounded by dark trees

EHS, FM offer tips on how to stay cool this summer as temp soar

With not a drop of rain in the forecast and the whole month of August - our hottest - still in front of us, folks from Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) and Facilities Management (FM) offered a few tips on how to stay as cool as possible while you are at work. While our typical summer temperatures in the 80s might not sound difficult to bear for the rest of the country, air conditioning is not common in the Pacific Northwest and most residents here are simply used to our mild, damp climate - so heat stress is very much a concern. 

Remember, even short periods of high temperatures can cause serious health problems. Doing too much on a hot day or spending too much time in the sun or staying too long in an overheated place can cause heat-related illnesses. It is important for employees who may work under conditions prone to heat-related emergencies to know the symptoms of heat-related illnesses and overexposure to the sun. 

Working outside on campus or at home? Remember: Rest. Shade. Hydration. Be especially aware of this when the severe heat first arrives. It takes time for our bodies to acclimate. And yes, there鈥檚 an  More information, including a heat and humidity chart, is available in  of the 草榴社区 Safety Information Book.

Heat affects different people differently. If you are uncomfortable in your space and a desk fan along with cooler summer clothing isn鈥檛 effective enough, give customer service at FM a call at x 3420.

  • EHS will then come evaluate the space's temperature and humidity conditions, providing fans if necessary or available. If there is a health concern, refer the person(s) to HR.
  • FM will evaluate temperature trends and determine what additional methods they can employ in their building controls systems to improve the situation.
  • Space Management may identify alternative air-conditioned work spaces to accommodate special conditions or needs.
  • Ultimately, HR is available to provide supervisors guidance regarding tools at their disposal to respond to employees with heat concerns when all other options have been exhausted.

Stay cool, Western!