4 ms·

Having worked in MS's DCs, they are, in fact, hazardous. They absolutely push the limits on heat exposure for humans -- those hot aisles are HOT, and we all car

Having worked in MS's DCs, they are, in fact, hazardous. They absolutely push the limits on heat exposure for humans -- those hot aisles are HOT, and we all carried heat index alarms as a result. Further, I think its weird you don't think of the sound as a hazard. When its so loud you must wear 30+NRR hearing protection, it sure seems like a hazard to me.

Group_B 4y ago
Sounds like as long as you follow basic protocol it isn’t really hazardous.
- hllooo 4y ago
  requiring special safety equipment seems like a pretty good place to draw the line...
- hn_version_0023 4y ago
  As long as you follow basic protocol your outcome won't involve injury. The hazard remains, and is the reason the protocol exists.
nsheridan 4y ago
Not to mention fire suppression systems and electrical risks.
userbinator 4y ago
They absolutely push the limits on heat exposure for humans That sounds very different from my experience (not with MS DCs) --- where it was loud (though not quite as loud as e.g. an automotive shop) and windy, but the temperature was kept at a controlled 68F (20C) and alerts were raised if it got even slightly hotter than that. Yes, I suppose there is more risk than sitting at a desk all day, but I think the parent is comparing it to many other jobs like those in the heavy equipment industry, mining, farming, petro, etc.
- hn_version_0023 4y ago
  I'd agree its very different even from my own experience at other data centers. MS really were pushing it in the locations I worked. In early May, the hot aisles were already topping 112F! Given that, the policy in place was, IIRC, 15 minutes of work w/ a mandatory 45m break & fluid consumption. Certainly there are riskier jobs. Certainly, by and large, data centers are safe places to work. But they are not without hazards and I (obviously) find it irksome when those hazards are dismissed so easily.
- dekhn 4y ago
  Keeping data centers at 68F is a huge waste of power. It makes perfect sense to run them at the limit of what humans can tolerate (but no further).

Group_B 4y ago

Sounds like as long as you follow basic protocol it isn’t really hazardous.

hllooo 4y ago
requiring special safety equipment seems like a pretty good place to draw the line...
hn_version_0023 4y ago
As long as you follow basic protocol your outcome won't involve injury. The hazard remains, and is the reason the protocol exists.

nsheridan 4y ago

Not to mention fire suppression systems and electrical risks.

userbinator 4y ago

They absolutely push the limits on heat exposure for humans That sounds very different from my experience (not with MS DCs) --- where it was loud (though not quite as loud as e.g. an automotive shop) and windy, but the temperature was kept at a controlled 68F (20C) and alerts were raised if it got even slightly hotter than that. Yes, I suppose there is more risk than sitting at a desk all day, but I think the parent is comparing it to many other jobs like those in the heavy equipment industry, mining, farming, petro, etc.

hn_version_0023 4y ago
I'd agree its very different even from my own experience at other data centers. MS really were pushing it in the locations I worked. In early May, the hot aisles were already topping 112F! Given that, the policy in place was, IIRC, 15 minutes of work w/ a mandatory 45m break & fluid consumption. Certainly there are riskier jobs. Certainly, by and large, data centers are safe places to work. But they are not without hazards and I (obviously) find it irksome when those hazards are dismissed so easily.
dekhn 4y ago
Keeping data centers at 68F is a huge waste of power. It makes perfect sense to run them at the limit of what humans can tolerate (but no further).