Using a cool spot to improve the thermal comfort of glassmakers

Glassmakers monitoring a rolled plate process suffered discomfort from the high temperature environment. This was caused by the radiant heat emitted by the furnaces and associated equipment surrounding the glassmakers' working area, combined with a high air temperature. The glassmakers are responsible for monitoring the glass rolling machine to ensure that the product is manufactured to specification, and to prevent the molten glass sticking to the rollers. This study improved their thermal comfort by the construction of a cool area. They were also brought nearer to the rolling machine. This, with the addition of a cooler environment, improved their monitoring performance. The cool spot was constructed using glass and aluminium radiant heat shields, air curtains and low velocity cooling air.