As the temperatures climb, Great Bend-based commercial cleaning product maker Fuller Industries Inc has announced an enhanced initiative to combat indoor heat stress and protect its production floor employees during the peak summer months.
As a staple of the local manufacturing landscape, Fuller Industries is prioritizing a proactive approach to worker safety. The company’s comprehensive protocol combines environmental engineering, strict operational guidelines, and rigorous adherence to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.
"Hot weather inside manufacturing plants requires a mix of environmental controls, strict hydration routines, and vigilant monitoring to prevent heat illness," said Bree Husted, environmental health and safety specialist at Fuller Industries. "Our goal is to ensure every team member has the resources, knowledge, and support they need to stay safe and healthy while keeping our production lines moving."
Core pillars of Fuller Industries’ heat safety plan
To mitigate the risks of high indoor temperatures, the company is reinforcing several critical safety measures across its Great Bend facility:
· Mandatory hydration protocols: Employees are instructed to drink 8 ounces of water or electrolyte-replacing beverages a minimum of three times throughout the workday.
· Management emphasizes that workers should not wait until they are thirsty, as thirst is a lagging indicator of dehydration.
· The 20% acclimatization rule: To build heat tolerance safely, new or returning workers will follow a strict acclimation schedule. On day one, exposure is limited to 20% of a normal workload, increasing by 20% each subsequent day until full tolerance is reached.
· Advanced ventilation and cooling: The facility utilizes industrial spot-cooling fans, swamp coolers, and dedicated air-conditioned break areas to effectively lower employees' core body temperatures. Additionally, radiant heat is minimized by insulating hot machinery on the production floor.
· Frequent, scheduled breaks: As heat indices rise, Fuller Industries implements a flexible schedule with more frequent, mandatory rest periods in cooled environments.
· The buddy system: Workers are trained to actively monitor their peers for early signs of heat stress—such as confusion, heavy sweating, dizziness, or nausea—and are empowered to report any wellness concerns immediately.
Commitments to OSHA compliance
In alignment with OSHA mandates, Fuller Industries ensures full compliance by providing readily accessible, cool drinking water, designated shaded or air-conditioned rest zones, and paid rest breaks. The company operates under a formal heat illness prevention plan designed to address emergencies rapidly.
In the event that an employee exhibits severe symptoms — such as hot, dry skin, severe confusion, or loss of consciousness — the company's safety protocol dictates an immediate call to 911 alongside active cooling measures (such as utilizing wet cloths and fanning).
Fuller Industries encourages all regional manufacturers and employers to review official requirements and hazard reporting guidelines by visiting the official OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Guide and the OSHA Heat Exposure portal.
About Fuller Industries Inc.
Based in Great Bend, Kan., with a rich heritage dating back over a century to the Fuller Brush Man, Fuller Industries is a leading American manufacturer of industrial products, including cleaning chemicals and supplies, as well as brooms, mops, brushes and more. Fuller serves manufacturing, commercial, institutional and agricultural clients across the Western Hemisphere. Call 620-792-1711 or visit Fullerindustriesllc.com.