Dive Brief:

• A June report by NAIOP Research Foundation and KSS Architects suggests that adopting wellness features in industrial real estate buildings can increase employee retention and productivity, and help meet environmental, social and governance goals.
• The report highlights common health, safety and comfort concerns in industrial facilities, such as loud noise, physical strain, uneven temperatures and heavy machinery in warehouses and distribution centers. 
• Key suggestions for boosting wellness features in industrial buildings include improving ventilation, implementing localized heating and cooling systems, and providing worker wellness support through safety improvements, amenities and access to green spaces.

Dive Insight:

A press release pointed to growing labor concerns, along with the rising number of employees working in high tech and machine-integrated warehouse facilities as factors that put a spotlight on the need for adopting features that promote well being and wellness.   

Based on interviews with occupants and recordings of conditions in existing KSS-designed distribution centers, KSS used these findings to design a prototype distribution center. This prototype includes features aimed at creating a healthier, safer work environment. Key additions the architecture firm has suggested include: 

• Increasing occupant comfort through shell improvements, such as better ventilation, skylights, high-performance lighting, and radiant heating and cooling elements.
• Workstations that provide task-oriented lighting, localized conditioning and ergonomic support.
• Break spaces with access to food, water and fresh air, protection from vehicles, and relief from acoustic or thermal-related conditions of the distribution center interior
• Spaces to host provide amenities not located in the surrounding area, such as day care or foodservices. 
• Layouts that improve worker and pedestrian safety, provide space for public transit and ridesharing, and give access to green space.

The report underscored the need to promote health and safety, noting that distribution centers can be dangerous due to the close working proximity between people and equipment, and continuous physical strain. KSS’ recommendations center on reducing body strain, transitioning to electric forklifts and adopting operational measures that will address indoor air quality concerns raised during the pandemic. 

Air quality improvement strategies include having outdoor air ventilation levels that are at least 130% of the minimum recommended levels in ASHRAE 62.1, or higher in loading docks, and increasing air flow through high-volume/low-speed ceiling fans or mechanical system filtration systems (MERV 13 or higher). These measures should be supplemented with portable HEPA and carbon filters, the report stated. 

In addition to air quality, KSS noted that hazardous noise is common in transportation and warehousing facilities, and pointed to noise elimination systems, quieter equipment, personal protective equipment and exposure time limits as potential solutions in distribution facility environments. 

KSS also found that workers often experience discomfort due to a large number of dock doors and heat from material handling equipment, which make conditioning the temperature levels in facilities much harder than in office environments. Possible solutions to temperature control challenges include introducing “micro-climates” with break areas designed for thermal refuge, and installing radiant floor systems and panels, which can be connected to digital control systems and are more comfortable than convection-based systems. 

“[These recommendations] set the stage for the evolution of distribution centers as they become more embedded in local communities and more attentive to the needs of the people working within them,” the report said, alluding to the importance of local community integration for suburban developments. 

Other suggestions from the report include decreasing hardscape to reduce the heat island effect, providing access to walking paths and landscape features, and offering support for adjacent parks, recreation facilities and engagement opportunities. Supporting mental and emotional health, encouraging proper nutrition and hydration, and instilling a sense of belonging were also mentioned.