Every winter, tens of thousands of blue-collar workers perform their duties in near-freezing temperatures. In doing so, they make themselves vulnerable to cold stress, frostbite, hypothermia, and other dangers. As a result, companies have started using warm-up booths to protect their workers, or at least limit cold-related illnesses as much as possible. In this article, we’ll cover what warm-up booths are, why they are used, their features, and more.
What are Warm-Up Booths?
Warm-up booths are special spaces where workers can recover from exposure to cold temperatures. They are typically equipped with HVAC systems, seating, hydration/coffee stations, and some form of entertainment. These rooms are stationed in places where workers are exposed to long periods of freezing or near-freezing temperatures, such as outdoor construction sites, industrial plants, or even cold storage areas.
In short, a warm-up booth is a safe space for employees to regain their body heat. They also help businesses comply with OSHA’s recommendations on keeping workers safe from the cold.
Why Use Warm-Up Booths?
The biggest reason to use them is, as we’ve already said, to protect workers from the extreme cold.
Even if workers are not in immediate danger, they still need a place to recover and warm their bodies. When they have a warm space, they can avoid long-term help problems, take rests, and return to work feeling refreshed, which can improve the overall productivity of your team.
What are Some Features of Warm-Up Booths?
The design and features of warm-up booths will of course vary depending on the application, but there are several common characteristics that make them effective.
Temperature Control
Keeping a warm, controlled temperature is the main function of any warm-up booth. Typically, these spaces are heated to a comfortable temperature using HVAC systems, baseboard heaters, or other heating technology.
Comfortable Seating
To be fair, not all warm-up rooms have seating, but many have padded chairs and couches to help workers rest while they warm up, which also helps them recover quickly.
Hydration Stations & Warm Drinks
Most people don’t realize that the cold dehydrates you significantly, just as much as the heat. As a result, hydration stations that offer water or hot, sweetened drinks, like tea or coffee, can help replenish fluids and warm the body from the inside.
Entertainment
Since workers usually need more than just a couple of minutes to properly warm up, these spaces often have some form of entertainment, such as TVs, magazines, internet, and more. This can help workers get a quick break in order to mentally as well as physically recover.
Industries That Use Warm-Up Booths
Warm-up booths can be beneficial in any workplace where employees are exposed to cold temperatures for extended periods. Here are some of the most common industries that deploy them to protect their workers:
- Construction: As you might expect, outdoor construction workers have to deal with extreme weather conditions, particularly in cold climates or winter months.
- Manufacturing: Factories and industrial plants that operate in cold environments or include refrigerated sections—such as food processing plants—can benefit from adding warm-up booths as well.
- Agriculture: Farmers and agricultural workers also commonly have to work in cold climates, and warm-up booths can help protect them, especially in the winter.
Warm-Up Booths: The Bottom Line
Simply, put, warm-up booths are special spaces made to protect workers from cold exposure. In providing a safe space for employees to warm themselves up, businesses can improve worker health, safety, and productivity, all in one. Investing in them is a straightforward way to meet OSHA recommendations, as well as lower the risks of cold-related injuries altogether.
Interested in setting up a warm-up booth at your location? Reach out to the experts at Allied Modular to get a free quote on a new buildout.
