Garney Construction has recently trialed a new smart device from Kenzen to help protect workers from heat stress.
The devices, which were worn on the arms of 28 Garney workers at 10 worksites throughout the U.S., monitor key physiological indicators of each worker, including core body temperature, heart rate, and exertion level. Detecting changes in these factors can lead to proactive prediction and prevention of heat injuries and illnesses.
The wearable sensors alert workers by sending vibrations to the device and notifications to their smart phones. Notifications are also sent to supervisors via their phones and a web dashboard that provides the real-time health status of each worker. The alerts escalate from an initial “stop work” message to subsequent alerts for additional measures to avoid emergency situations. Follow-up alerts indicate when a person’s core body temperature has returned to a safe level to resume work.
The collected data can be analyzed to create custom heat stress prevention and treatment strategies at various locations and climates. Garney used the location-specific information to adjust break times and educate employees about the best clothing choices and how to acclimatize to warm working conditions.
Related Stories
Building Technology | Mar 9, 2017
Prefabrication's predicament: It's much harder than it looks
Many of the nation’s largest contractors, including Gilbane, Mortensen, Skanska, and Turner, have been utilizing prefab techniques on select projects for a decade or more.
Great Solutions | Mar 8, 2017
Pop-out balcony is a breath of fresh air for stuffy hotel rooms and apartments
In less than one minute, Bloomframe transforms from an insulated picture window to an open balcony.
Building Materials | Feb 15, 2017
New metamaterial cools roofs without any energy consumption
The material is barely thicker than aluminum foil and can be economically manufactured for large-scale residential and commercial applications.
Building Technology | Feb 13, 2017
Denver’s ‘smart neighborhood’ will be packed with futuristic technology
The neighborhood will become a test lab for innovative technology.
Virtual Reality | Feb 1, 2017
Tour ancient buildings and cities as they were when new with Lithodomos VR
An Australian archeological startup is bringing the ancient world to a VR headset near you.
Building Technology | Jan 30, 2017
Machine learning could help buildings notify occupants about critical systems failures before they happen
Data from sensors built into HVAC units paired with a machine learning algorithm predicted 76 out of 124 real faults for an Italian hospital.
Building Technology | Jan 27, 2017
The driverless clinic: How buildings powered by AI can help promote wellness and enhance human connections
In the future, we envision that the smart technology in our phones will be embedded in the items we wear and the objects we use.
Building Technology | Jan 24, 2017
A U.S. startup is working with Dubai to advance 3D printing for construction
Cazza Construction Technologies is building a crane that it claims can layer more than 2,000 sf of concrete per day.
Energy Efficiency | Jan 5, 2017
Exponential growth in net zero energy buildings predicted for the next two decades
Technology and regulations will be the drivers, says Navigant Research.
Concrete Technology | Dec 5, 2016
Telescopic walls could help combat the damages of floodwaters
The project is currently under development by a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Buffalo.
