Case Study: Solving Heat Radiation Problem from Baking Molds

Problem and Impact

• Oven control operators had to work in areas with temperatures exceeding 37°C
• Employees experienced fatigue due to excessive sweating
• Some employees showed symptoms of dehydration

 

Causes

• Surface temperature of baking molds reached 70-120°C
• Too many molds per unit area
• Short bursts of heat vapor released when molds opened

 

Initial Improvements (Ineffective)

The factory implemented the following measures:

• Increased heat ventilation channels
• Used ventilation fans for assistance

However, these methods did not yield satisfactory results.

 

Addressing the Root Cause

The working group decided to: Install removable heat insulation on all molds

 

Improvement Results

1. Temperature:
   • Surface temperature of molds decreased to about 45-50°C
   • Room temperature decreased by approximately 2-3°C
2. Personnel:
   • Reduced turnover rate among production staff
3. Energy:
   • Electricity consumption of molds decreased by about 15-20% per month (reported by the Engineering Department)

 

Lessons Learned

• Addressing the root cause (in this case, reducing heat at the source) often yields better results than treating the symptoms.
• Improving the work environment can positively impact both employee health and energy efficiency.
• Solving safety and occupational health issues can lead to business benefits, such as reduced employee turnover rates and energy savings.