Heat stress is a problem reaching crisis levels: it’s the number one cause of weather-related deaths in the world, especially for construction and other outdoor-related industries which are disproportionately affected by extreme temperatures. In the United States alone, more than 400 workers have died since 2011 due to environmental heat exposure, and thousands more are hospitalized every year.
In response, construction safety and apparel makers are looking at ways to help workers stay safe on the job during excessive heat. North American-based safety helmet innovator, STUDSON, is taking a proactive approach to ensure its equipment can help workers in construction, energy production, utilities, and industrial processing to beat the heat. The effort also includes designing cooling accessories, such as a cooling helmet liner with a nape cover and a cooling towel, that are purpose-built for use with PPE safety helmets.
Specially designed cooling helmet liner with nape can help keep workers cooler in excessive heat.
Leveraging a FLIR T1020 high-definition thermal camera, STUDSON recorded its cooling accessories in action. In the thermal image above, the model is wearing a safety helmet along with the cooling liner with nape underneath. The bright colors denote the warm areas while the cool areas are darker. In this image, the helmet liner and nape are purple because the material is helping cool down the wearer standing in the hot sun.
To further help its customers combat heat stress, STUDSON has also designed its SHK-1 safety helmets to improve airflow and allow for body heat to dissipate. Although the primary purpose is to prevent traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), comfort is critical to ensure that workers actually wear the helmet, no matter the conditions.
Lightweight material and vents built into the safety helmet provides for better airflow and sweat evaporation, reducing the heat immediately around the head by potentially several degrees.
Inside, the SHK-1 helmets feature KOROYD, which are welded polymer tubes that are 95 percent comprised of air, allowing for greater airflow and sweat evaporation around the head. In fact, a recent thermal lab study from KOROYD found that KOROYD-integrated safety helmets reduce heat index by up to 8 degrees Fahrenheit/4.5 degrees Celsius compared to traditional EPS internal helmet constructions, reducing the risk of heat stress.
The thermal imagery helps show this technology in action, providing a visual representation of how outdoor workers can stay safe on the job, no matter the weather.
Mkazo wa joto ni tatizo linalofikia viwango vya mgogoro: ni sababu ya kwanza ya vifo vinavyohusiana na hali ya hewa ulimwenguni, haswa kwa ujenzi na viwanda vingine vinavyohusiana na nje ambavyo huathiriwa sana na joto kali. Tangu mwaka 2011, zaidi ya wafanyakazi 400 wamefariki nchini Marekani kutokana na joto, na maelfu zaidi wanalazwa hospitalini kila mwaka. Kwa sababu hiyo, watengenezaji wa nguo na vifaa vya ujenzi wanajaribu kutafuta njia za kuwasaidia wafanyakazi waendelee kuwa salama kazini wakati wa joto kali. Kampuni ya Amerika ya Kasuku ya Usalama ya STUDSON, ambayo ni kampuni ya kwanza ya kutengeneza kofia za usalama, imetoa taarifa ya kuvutia kuhusu jinsi ya kuepuka joto kali katika viwanda vya ujenzi, utengenezaji wa nishati, huduma za umma na viwanda. "Kama vile, ""kuunda vifaa vya baridi, kama vile baridi helmet liner na shingo kifuniko na baridi kitambaa, ambayo ni lengo kujengwa kwa ajili ya matumizi na PPE usalama helmets.""" Hasa iliyoundwa baridi kofia ya chuma liner na nape inaweza kusaidia kuweka wafanyakazi baridi katika joto kupita kiasi. Kwa kutumia kamera ya joto ya ufafanuzi wa juu ya FLIR T1020 ya STUDSON, vifaa vya baridi vilirekodiwa. Katika picha ya joto hapo juu, mfano ni amevaa kofia ya usalama pamoja na baridi liner na nape chini. Rangi nyangavu huonyesha maeneo yenye joto huku maeneo yenye baridi yakiwa na giza. Katika picha hii, kifuniko cha kofia ya chuma na shingo ni za rangi ya zambarau kwa sababu nyenzo hiyo husaidia kupumzika kwa mtu anayemvaa akiwa amesimama kwenye jua kali. Ili kusaidia wateja wake kupambana na joto, Studson pia imeunda kofia zake za usalama za SH-1 ili kuboresha mtiririko wa hewa na kuruhusu joto la mwili kutoweka. Ingawa lengo kuu ni kuzuia majeraha ya ubongo, faraja ni muhimu kuhakikisha kwamba wafanyakazi kweli kuvaa kofia ya chuma, bila kujali hali. Vifaa vya kupumua na vimbunga vilivyojengwa ndani ya kofia ya usalama hutoa mtiririko bora wa hewa na mvuke wa jasho, na kupunguza joto karibu na kichwa kwa digrii kadhaa. Hifadhi ya ndani ya SHK-1 ina KOROID, ambayo ni mabomba ya polima yaliyounganishwa ambayo ni asilimia 95 ya hewa, ikiruhusu mtiririko mkubwa wa hewa na mvuke wa jasho kuzunguka kichwa. Kwa kweli, utafiti wa hivi karibuni wa maabara ya joto kutoka KOROYD uligundua kuwa kofia za usalama zilizounganishwa na KOROYD hupunguza kiwango cha joto hadi digrii 8 Fahrenheit (Fahrenheit) ikilinganishwa na ujenzi wa kofia ya ndani ya EPS ya jadi, kupunguza hatari ya shinikizo la joto. Picha za joto zinaonyesha teknolojia hii ikifanya kazi, ikitoa uwakilishi wa kuona jinsi wafanyakazi wa nje wanaweza kukaa salama kazini, bila kujali hali ya hewa.