Heat Stress
Heat Stress
What is Heat Stress?
Heat stress occurs when the body cannot cool itself effectively due to high temperatures, humidity, and physical exertion. In industrial settings, workers are often exposed to extreme heat from machinery, environmental conditions, and protective gear, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Industries like construction, steel and metal industries, power plants, mining, oil and gas, and manufacturing are most affected by heat stress.
What causes heat stress in industries?
Heat stress can be caused by any of the following:
● High temperatures from machines and industrial processes
● Poor ventilation in workplaces
● Working in direct sunlight or enclosed spaces
● Wearing heavy protective equipment
● High humidity levels
What are the symptoms of heat stress?
Following are the most common symptoms of heat stress:
● Heavy sweating
● Fatigue and dizziness
● Muscle cramps
● Nausea and vomiting
● High body temperature
● Fainting or confusion (in severe cases)
How can AI and IoT wearables help in preventing heat stress?
AI and IoT wearables work together to prevent heat stress by monitoring workers’ health, predicting risks, and automating safety measures. IoT-powered smart wearables like smart helmets, watches, and vests, track body temperature, heart rate, and hydration levels in real-time. AI analyzes this data along with environmental conditions to predict heat stress risks and send automated alerts for breaks and hydration. Additionally, AI-driven smart cooling systems adjust ventilation and temperature to create a safer work environment, while robots and drones reduce human exposure to extreme heat.
How can industries prevent heat stress?
Industries can prevent heat stress in the following ways:
● Using IoT wearables to monitor workers' body temperature, heart rate, and hydration levels, sending real-time alerts.
● AI-powered predictive analytics to assess temperature, humidity, and workload, preventing heat stress risks.
● Smart cooling and ventilation systems that adjust automatically based on real-time conditions.
● Automated alerts and reminders for hydration, breaks, and workload adjustments.
● Providing shaded rest areas and ensuring proper hydration facilities.
● Using heat-resistant uniforms and PPE to minimize heat absorption.
● Deploying robotics and automation to handle high-temperature tasks, reducing worker exposure.
Article by
Barnali Sharma
Content Writer
Barnali Sharma is a dedicated content contributor for viAct. A university gold medalist with an MBA in Marketing, she crafts compelling narratives, enhances brand engagement, and develops data-driven marketing campaigns. When she’s not busy working her content alchemy, Barnali can be found commanding stages with her public speaking or turning data into stories that actually make sense -because who said analytics can’t have a little creativity?