Wearable Heat Monitors: Nuclear Cleanup Workers Test New Tech Amid Rising Temperatures

Nuclear Cleanup Workers Test Wearable Heat Stress Monitors Amid Rising Temperatures

On a sweltering summer day in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, dozens of workers clad in head-to-toe coveralls and respirators toiled to decontaminate a nuclear facility. As they worked, armbands on their wrists silently monitored their heart rates, movements, and exertion levels for signs of heat stress.

Stephanie Miller, a safety and health manager, kept a watchful eye on the workers’ physiological data displayed on her computer screen. Despite the presence of high radiation, hazardous chemicals, and heavy metals, heat remains one of the greatest risks in this line of work.

As global temperatures continue to break records, employers are increasingly turning to wearable technologies to protect their workers. These new devices collect biometric data to estimate core body temperature and prompt workers to take cool-down breaks when necessary.

However, the implementation of such technology is not without controversy. Concerns have been raised about the safeguarding of collected medical information, and some labor groups worry that managers could use the data to penalize workers for taking needed breaks.

At the Tennessee cleanup site, workers wore heat stress monitors manufactured by SlateSafety. While the U.S. Department of Energy has established rules to prevent on-the-job overheating, most American workers lack protections from extreme heat due to the absence of federal regulations.

The Biden administration has proposed a rule to protect 36 million workers from heat-related illnesses. This comes in response to alarming statistics: between 1992 and 2022, 986 workers died from heat exposure in the United States.

Setting occupational safety standards for heat exposure is challenging due to individual variability in heat tolerance. Wearable devices aim to address this issue by providing personalized monitoring.

Traditional methods of monitoring heat stress included checking temperatures with thermometers, sometimes rectally. Firefighters and military personnel have used thermometer capsules. The SlateSafety armbands estimate a wearer’s core body temperature and trigger alerts at 101.3 degrees Fahrenheit.

At United Cleanup Oak Ridge, workers receive dozens of sensor alerts daily. The armband notifies them when they’ve cooled down sufficiently to resume work. Since implementing the technology, there has been a significant decrease in the number of people requiring medical attention.

While the benefits of these devices are clear, their use raises privacy concerns. United Cleanup Oak Ridge uses sensor data and annual medical exams to determine work assignments. To protect privacy, data is organized by identification numbers rather than names.

Experts recommend that employers allow workers to opt in or out of wearing monitoring devices and delete data within 24 hours. There are also concerns about potential exposure to unwanted marketing through these devices.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health advises employers to help workers adjust to hot conditions and provide training to recognize signs of heat-related illness. Wearable devices should be paired with access to breaks, shade, and cool water.

While wearable heat stress monitors represent a step forward in worker safety, they are not a complete solution. Many workers, especially in agriculture, fear retaliation for pausing to cool off or hydrate. As temperatures continue to rise, a comprehensive approach to heat stress management remains crucial for worker safety.

(Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo contributed to this report.)