As environmental temperature and humidity increase, there is an increase in the heat stress that is placed on the working individual. Working in the heat causes the body to rely on evaporation of sweat from the skin as the primary method of dissipating heat that is produced by the working muscles. As humidity increases, the ability to dissipate heat through evaporation is hindered, thus causing the body to have an increased body temperature, which increases the risk of Heat Stress.
Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) is an important calculated parameter to monitor for outdoor exposure in high temperature conditions, such as military or athletic training and utility work. Of special consideration is workers required to wear PPE, such as hazmat responders. Regulatory guidelines may advise environmental monitoring with additional rest time and/or fluid intake during significant heat stress exposure.
Columbia Weather System's Heat Stress System was developed for the US Coast Guard in Florida to help keep workers safe in extreme heat and humid environments.
The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature System includes:
- Black Globe Temp Sensor - hollow copper sphere with a matte black finish with temperature probe
- Ambient Temp Sensor
- Relative Humidity Sensor
- Self-Aspirating Radiation Shield for Ambient Temp and RH sensors
- Sensors include 50-feet of cable each
- Additional sensors such as wind and solar radiation are available for custom configuration
- Monitoring and alarm functions are available via computer, stand-alone display, internet browser, and app
Heat stress includes a series of conditions where the body is under stress from overheating. Heat-related illnesses include heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat rash, or heat stroke, each with its own symptoms and treatments. Symptoms can range from profuse sweating to dizziness, cessation of sweating, and collapse.
This dangerous condition can be prevented by vigilant environmental monitoring and adherence to recommended guidelines.
Columbia Weather Systems manufactures a variety of weather monitoring options for industry and government applications in Hillsboro, Oregon.
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