{"id":13440,"date":"2024-09-24T00:00:41","date_gmt":"2024-09-23T16:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/li-on.biz\/?p=13440"},"modified":"2025-07-01T12:26:06","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T04:26:06","slug":"%e9%a0%90%e9%98%b2%e9%ab%98%e6%ba%ab%e7%86%b1%e6%ad%bb%e4%ba%ba-%e9%9b%87%e4%b8%bb%e5%bc%95%e5%85%a5%e6%99%ba%e6%85%a7%e7%a9%bf%e6%88%b4%e8%a3%9d%e7%bd%ae","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/li-on.biz\/en\/%e9%a0%90%e9%98%b2%e9%ab%98%e6%ba%ab%e7%86%b1%e6%ad%bb%e4%ba%ba-%e9%9b%87%e4%b8%bb%e5%bc%95%e5%85%a5%e6%99%ba%e6%85%a7%e7%a9%bf%e6%88%b4%e8%a3%9d%e7%bd%ae\/","title":{"rendered":"To prevent heatstroke deaths, employers are introducing smart wearable devices"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Hanford site, located in the semi-arid desert of Washington State, was once a major plutonium production facility for defense purposes and is now in the process of nuclear waste cleanup. Summers here are scorching, often exceeding 32\u00b0C. This year, the Department of Energy (DOE) introduced thermal stress monitoring armbands and wireless devices to reduce accidents among workers exposed to high temperatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Record-breaking heatwave: Early warning system mitigates damage<\/h3><\/font>\n\n\n\n

With record-breaking high temperatures worldwide, outdoor workers are bearing the brunt of the impact. Consequently, more and more workplaces are implementing heat stress warning systems. These sensors monitor workers' heart rate and core temperature, and if they exceed certain thresholds, they issue an alert, allowing safety personnel to intervene early and reduce the risk of heat-related injuries and accidents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Our work involves high levels of radiation, hazardous chemicals, and heavy metals, but even higher temperatures remain one of our greatest risks.\" A nuclear facility dismantling site in Tennessee, USA, is using SlateSafety armbands. Stephanie Miller, the contractor's safety and health manager, told the Associated Press that with the SlateSafety armband, workers are alerted and treated immediately when they are experiencing poor health, significantly reducing the number of people requiring medical attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nearly 300 people died from heat-related illnesses in Texas in 2022. Rogers-O\u2019Brien, a Texas construction contractor whose workers work 50 to 60 hours a week in the scorching heat, introduced wearable sensors and Safeguard software last year (2023).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ross Daly, Director of Labor Safety at Rogers-O'Brien, explained that Safeguard operates like a fitness app, connecting to a smartwatch to monitor employee heart rate and core temperature. The first time a value exceeds a threshold, the sensor alerts the employee. If the condition worsens, such as if the core temperature exceeds 37.7\u00b0C, the labor safety supervisor receives an alert, prompting the employee to rest and hydrate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harm reduction, a worthwhile investment<\/h3><\/font>\n\n\n\n

In July, US President Joe Biden proposed a bill requiring employers to develop heat injury prevention plans for their employees to protect 36 million outdoor and indoor workers. Biden pointed out that \"extreme heat kills more people than floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes combined.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heat-related illnesses and accidents can also cost companies money, such as lost work hours, increased medical expenses, and higher incident investigation costs. Therefore, investing in heat monitoring devices can also be beneficial. Fast Company reported that after Rogers-O'Brien introduced the Safeguard system in 2023, despite increasing the monthly software subscription and the cost of purchasing smartwatches, it saved $200,000 (approximately NT$6.43 million) compared to the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why don\u2019t some people buy it?<\/h3><\/font>\n\n\n\n

More than 80% of Rogers-O\u2019Brien\u2019s employees have voluntarily signed up for the Safeguard program. Construction worker Tyler Hughes suffered heat exhaustion on a jobsite. He didn\u2019t realize he was in trouble, but an alarm saved his life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But is it a good thing for companies to have access to their employees' health data at any time? This involves issues such as privacy and work rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"You might raise your hand to say you need a break, and your boss says, 'No, your heart rate isn't elevated, get back to work!'\" warns Adam Schwartz, privacy litigation director at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a global internet human rights organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said that companies storing medical data for years raises privacy concerns and people worry that employers could use this information to remove employees from health plans or even fire them. Schwartz believes that employers should allow employees to decide whether to join monitoring programs, only process necessary data, and delete it within 24 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

References\uff1a<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2666 Associated Press (August 24, 2024)Sensors can read your sweat and predict overheating. Here\u2019s why privacy advocates care<\/a>

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\u2666 Associated Press (August 24, 2024)Biden proposes new rule to protect 36 million workers from extreme heat<\/a>

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CBS News (August 7, 2024)Texas construction company uses smart watches to prevent heat illnesses<\/a>

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Fast Company (May 14, 2024)This company uses wearable tech to protect its workers from the blazing Texas heat<\/a>

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\u2666 U.S. Department of Energy (May 14, 2024)Connected and Protected: Wireless Device Helps Combat Heat Stress at Hanford<\/a>

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