Emirates Global Aluminium announced that the company is trialling wearable technology in its annual programme to prevent heat-related illness amongst industrial workers in the hot UAE summer. This year, 50 volunteers working in EGA’s potlines, which are amongst the hottest parts of the company’s operations, are wearing devices to monitor critical health indicators including core body temperature, heart rate, and sweating rate. Data is transmitted in real time to supervisors and EGA’s occupational health team, with alerts to variations of potential concern. Use of the technology is expected to further improve timely detection of the earliest signs of heat-related illness and speed intervention. Heat-related illness is a hazard for anyone working outside in the summer months, and can be fatal if left untreated. EGA’s industrial processes generate further heat and must operate continuously, meaning workers are on shift around the clock every day of the year.EGA‘s ‘Beat the Heat’ programme is an intense, annual summer-long effort across operations, which starts with awareness programmes to build knowledge of heat-related illness and its early signs for individuals and those around them.Employees undertake hydration tests before and during shifts, in addition to being required to take regular breaks and being given access to cooling showers. Cooling booths, drinking stations, icemakers, and portable air conditioning units in EGA’s operational areas help employees keep cool. UV protection and heat rash prevention cream are also available to help keep people comfortable in addition to reusable water bottles and access to electrolyte drinks. In 2021 EGA recorded two cases of heat-related illness requiring treatment at the company’s on-site medical centres. In both cases, the employees received rehydration via intravenous drips and fully-recovered within hours.
Emirates Global Aluminium announced that the company is trialling wearable technology in its annual programme to prevent heat-related illness amongst industrial workers in the hot UAE summer. This year, 50 volunteers working in EGA’s potlines, which are amongst the hottest parts of the company’s operations, are wearing devices to monitor critical health indicators including core body temperature, heart rate, and sweating rate. Data is transmitted in real time to supervisors and EGA’s occupational health team, with alerts to variations of potential concern. Use of the technology is expected to further improve timely detection of the earliest signs of heat-related illness and speed intervention. Heat-related illness is a hazard for anyone working outside in the summer months, and can be fatal if left untreated. EGA’s industrial processes generate further heat and must operate continuously, meaning workers are on shift around the clock every day of the year.EGA‘s ‘Beat the Heat’ programme is an intense, annual summer-long effort across operations, which starts with awareness programmes to build knowledge of heat-related illness and its early signs for individuals and those around them.Employees undertake hydration tests before and during shifts, in addition to being required to take regular breaks and being given access to cooling showers. Cooling booths, drinking stations, icemakers, and portable air conditioning units in EGA’s operational areas help employees keep cool. UV protection and heat rash prevention cream are also available to help keep people comfortable in addition to reusable water bottles and access to electrolyte drinks. In 2021 EGA recorded two cases of heat-related illness requiring treatment at the company’s on-site medical centres. In both cases, the employees received rehydration via intravenous drips and fully-recovered within hours.
