In many jobs the risk of heat stress increases during the hot summer months (such as the ones we are experiencing now), it is important you are aware of how to work safely in heat, the factors that can lead to heat stress, and how to reduce the risk of it occurring.

Heat stress occurs when the body’s means of controlling its internal temperature starts to fail. Air temperature, work rate, humidity and work clothing are all factors which can cause heat stress.

The body reacts to heat by increasing the blood flow to the skin’s surface and by sweating. This cools the body as heat is carried to the surface from within by the increased blood flow and sweat evaporates. Heat can also be lost by radiation and convection from the body’s surface.

Some workers are more at risk of experiencing heat stress:

  • Those wearing heavy PPC clothing which can restrict sweat evaporation
  • High workplace humidity
  • Workers who with a high work rate, road workers for example
  • Exposed workers with no shade or those working in areas with high levels of reflective heat from surrounding surfaces

The above can lead to restricted sweat evaporation, an individual’s deep body temperature rising, the body may then respond by increasing sweat production leading to potential dehydration, increased heart rate. Eventually the body will struggle to control the situation leading to a potentially dangerous heat stress situation.

It is therefore important to have an effective environmental monitoring solution so workers and employees can keep track of the key environmental parameters that lead to heat stress.

The Kestrel 5400 Heat Stress Tracker does just that measuring all the relevant parameters including Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WGBT), Relative Humidity, Heat Stress Index, and delivery Thermal Work Limit measurements.

You can set thresholds and will be made instantly aware if they are exceeded by a loud buzzer, bright LED beacon and on-screen warnings enabling you to manage dangerous conditions quickly and with accurate information at hand. Uniquely the Kestrel 5400 is also a complete weather station measuring wind speed, maximum wind gusts, temperature, humidity, pressure, wind chill, density altitude and more, making the Kestrel 5400 the ideal product when determining safe working conditions, setting rest breaks, and maximising personnel performance.

All data can be stored and downloaded for records if required.

To order, or for additional information on the Kestrel 5400 Heat Stress Tracker, please visit www.rpr.co.uk email sales@rpr.co.uk or call the technical sales team on +44 (0) 1590 641223