Working environment factors
How does wind speed affect workers’ health?
Apr
Wind speed is an essential natural factor in daily life and can have a significant impact on human health. In many aspects, wind can bring a refreshing and cool feeling, but it can also become a potential harmful factor. For workers, wind speed plays an important role in determining safe working conditions and affecting their health.
In the workplace, high wind speeds can have negative effects on workers. Cold wind can lower body temperature and cause health problems such as colds, sore throats, joint pain, dry skin, and more. Additionally, high wind speeds can also lead to rapid fatigue, reducing concentration and work efficiency.
1. What is wind speed?
Wind speed (also called wind velocity) is the distance that wind travels in a unit of time, measured in m/s.
Wind is the movement of air caused by differences in temperature and pressure variations on the ground or between factories. In the workplace, wind can also be produced by artificial sources such as fans and factory structures.
2. Sources of wind speed inside manufacturing plants
Wind speed in a manufacturing plant can originate from various sources within the workplace. Some of these sources include:
- Ventilation systems in a plant are designed to supply fresh air and remove polluted air from the workspace. These systems often use fans and ducts to generate wind speed, ensuring air circulation within the factory.
- Machines and production equipment can create moving air currents, generating wind speed around them. For example, fans, air compressors, extractors, or industrial equipment in processes like steel manufacturing, paper production, or automotive fabrication can produce strong airflows.
- Industrial processes such as chemical processing, food processing, or construction material production can also generate wind speed. For example, spray painting, steam sterilization, or drying processes can create strong air movement.
- The structure and layout of the plant can create wind tunnel effects or wind blockages. When workspaces have gaps, windows, vents, or open areas, wind speed can increase due to wind pressure and direction.
Although wind speed in manufacturing plants can help cool the environment, it is important to note that wind speeds that are too strong or too weak compared to the limits of QCVN 26:2016/BYT by the Ministry of Health can harm workers’ health.
3. Occupations where wind speed is hazardous to workers
In workplaces, almost all occupations experience and are affected by wind speed, but the allowable limits vary depending on the type of work. Some occupations are significantly affected by wind speed hazards, including:
- In construction, workers often work on high-rise buildings, scaffolding, and other unshielded areas. High wind speeds can create strong pressure on the body, increasing the risk of falls and injuries if proper safety measures are not in place.
- In the rapidly growing wind energy sector, workers on wind turbine towers face continuously high wind speeds. This can endanger their health and safety, requiring protective equipment and safe working procedures.
- Jobs related to aviation, including pilots, aircraft technicians, and ground crew, often work in environments with variable and strong wind speeds. High wind speeds can affect takeoff, landing, and other operations, requiring strict adherence to aviation safety regulations and protective measures.
- During shipbuilding and repair, workers often work on large open surfaces exposed to the sea. High wind speeds can exert significant force on the body, increasing the risk of falling from heights, as well as affecting the use of lifting equipment and work on unstable areas.
- Work stages in manufacturing plants using industrial fans, high-capacity vacuum systems, etc., can generate strong wind speeds affecting nearby workers.
4. How wind speed affects workers’ comfort
Wind speed can significantly affect workers’ comfort in the workplace, such as:
- High wind speed can increase the body’s cooling rate. As wind passes over the skin, it hinders heat dissipation, causing a cold sensation. This can lower body temperature, leading to discomfort and loss of comfort.
- Conversely, in low wind speed environments, the body may struggle to experience cool air. This can create a feeling of heat and discomfort, especially in hot workplaces like factories or processing industries.
- Psychologically, high wind speed can cause discomfort and stress. An uncomfortable weather environment can reduce morale and increase stress, affecting mental state and concentration at work.
5. Safe allowable wind speed in manufacturing plants
According to QCVN 26:2016/BYT National Technical Regulation on Microclimate – Allowable microclimate values at workplaces:
| Type of Work | Air movement speed (m/s) |
| Light | 0.1 to 1.5 |
| Medium | 0.2 to 1.5 |
| Heavy | 0.3 to 1.5 |
- In hot and humid working conditions, air movement speed at the workplace can increase to 2 m/s.
- In air-conditioned rooms, air movement speed can be below 0.1 m/s for light work, below 0.2 m/s for medium work, and below 0.3 m/s for heavy work, provided CO2 concentration meets the allowable standard.
6. Occupational diseases from long-term exposure to hazardous wind speed
Long-term exposure to hazardous wind speeds can cause occupational diseases related to the respiratory and musculoskeletal systems:
- Respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, sinusitis, and sore throat. Breathing cold and dry air can irritate and inflame respiratory tissues.
- Digestive diseases: high wind speeds combined with dust and pollutants can irritate the digestive system. Workers exposed to strong wind in industrial environments may develop stomach, intestinal, and digestive issues.
- Musculoskeletal problems such as muscle strain, arthritis, and back pain. Wind speed can exert pressure on muscles and bones, causing fatigue and stress, leading to musculoskeletal issues.
- Strong wind environments can also affect cardiovascular health, such as high blood pressure and stress. The impact of wind and harsh weather conditions can increase the risk of heart diseases and psychological stress.
To ensure workers’ health and safety, appropriate protective measures should be applied, such as using personal protective equipment, limiting direct exposure to strong wind, providing suitable working environments, and minimizing negative impacts from wind speed.
7. Measures to reduce the impact of wind speed on workers’ health
To reduce the impact of wind speed on workers’ health, the following measures can be applied:
- Ensure workers are equipped with full personal protective equipment. Proper PPE helps protect the body from the negative effects of wind speed, keeping workers warm and safe.
- Improve workplace comfort by constructing shielded areas, such as walls or partitions. Ensure work areas are isolated from strong wind and have sufficient light and ventilation to create better working conditions.
- Train workers on health protection measures when working in high or low humidity environments, so they can safeguard their own health.
- Periodically organize workplace environment monitoring in factories, collect and analyze harmful factors for workers, and adjust to reduce hazards to prevent occupational diseases.
These measures help reduce the impact of wind speed on workers’ health and improve work efficiency.
8. National workplace environment monitoring center
Nam Viet Workplace Environment Monitoring Center is a professional unit for monitoring and measuring workplace environment quality throughout Vietnam. With a team of experienced environmental monitoring specialists, the center uses modern measuring devices to ensure accuracy and reliability.
REGISTER WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICE
Besides providing monitoring services, the center also assists clients in planning, handling, and tracking workplace environment issues. With the motto “customer-centered,” the center prioritizes client satisfaction, meets all client needs, and commits to offering the best solutions for businesses.
With investments in technology, equipment, and human resources, Nam Viet Monitoring Center has become one of the reputable units in workplace environment monitoring in Ho Chi Minh City with the following goals:
- We always value our brand reputation and service quality.
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- Together with experienced Masters and Engineers with expertise, aiming to protect the environment and benefit businesses.
- With Nam Viet Environmental Monitoring team, your company will receive professional services from experts in the monitoring field, along with the best cost advantages.
9. Workplace environment monitoring service pricing
To help businesses conduct workplace environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet provides clients with a pricing table for workplace environment monitoring services with quality and reasonable costs.
- Our pricing table provides detailed information on the cost of monitoring services, including expenses related to travel, measurement, analysis, and reporting. Clients can be assured of the accuracy and reliability of the monitoring reports we provide.
- We commit to offering competitive and reasonable prices in the market and are always ready to answer all questions about monitoring services promptly and professionally.
- With Nam Viet’s pricing table, clients can easily select service packages suitable for their needs. We promise to provide the highest satisfaction with professional service quality.
