Innovation Meets Safety at SRS With Wearable Technology

Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC) electrician Keondre Whitfield, left, receives a SlateSafety armband from industrial hygiene employee Brooke Draghi. The armband measures critical physiological parameters indicating heat strain in an individual.

AIKEN, S.C. — Wearable technology is helping workers stay safe on the job in the South Carolina summer heat at the Savannah River Site (SRS).

Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC), the liquid waste contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) at SRS, has implemented the use of SlateSafety armbands, a monitoring device worn by workers that measures critical physiological parameters indicating heat strain in an individual.

During the summer, heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke and exhaustion, are serious risks to our workers, especially for those working outside or in high temperatures, according to Wes Bryan, SRMC environment, safety, health and quality assurance director.

“At SRMC, safety isn’t just a priority, it’s a principle that guides every decision we make,” Bryan said. “By integrating technologies like SlateSafety, we’re proactively protecting our team and making sure every worker goes home safely at the end of the day.”

The monitoring device uses variables such as heart rate limit value (HRLV), which compares a person’s current heart rate with their maximum sustained heart rate to monitor one’s level of heat strain risk.

A key feature of the SlateSafety devices is the ability for supervisors to monitor the physiological status of all workers actively wearing the armbands during their work, according to SRMC Safety and Hygiene Technical Advisor Steven Jahn.

“If a user exceeds a HRLV of 100% for more than five minutes, supervision intervenes to ensure their safety,” Jahn said. “When that threshold is crossed, we make sure the worker pauses exertion at the job to cool down until it’s safe for them to continue. This system makes sure workers are both proactive and preventive when it comes to heat-induced safety concerns.”

Factors that determine the use of the armband include the level of physical effort, duration of the activity and amount of personal protective equipment required.

Tony Robinson, DOE-Savannah River acting assistant manager for waste disposition, said EM appreciates the work done to add another layer of worker safety by SRMC.

“The initiative taken to implement innovative technology to continuously improve the site’s commitment to safety is commendable,” Robinson said. “This safety system has proven to be a positive intervention in the SRMC workforce so far, keeping workers safe and informed, particularly during the summer heat.”

-Contributor: Katie Cannon