Environmental Heat Stress System: Wet Bulb Globe Temperature

Wet Bulb Globe Temperature System

Columbia Weather System's Heat Stress System was developed for the US Coast Guard in Florida to help keep workers safe in extreme heat and humid environments. A key component in this project was the stand-alone Weather Display Console, as the customer did not want to interface the met sensors to an IT network for security reasons.

WBGT System Components

The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature System from CWS lists for about US$4,000 and includes:

• Capricorn FLX Control Module
• Black Globe Temp Sensor - hollow copper sphere with a matte black finish with temperature probe
• Ambient Temp Sensor
• Relative Humidity Sensor
• Self-Aspirating Radiation Shield for Ambient Temp and RH sensors
• Weather Display Console – Custom screen displays WBGT, Wet Bulb Temp, Ambient Temp, Globe Temp, and BP (Additional features include Trend, Min/Max, Alarm)
• Sensors include 50-feet of cable each
• Additional sensors such as wind and solar radiation are available for custom configuration

Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) is an important calculated parameter to monitor for outdoor exposure in high temperature conditions, such as military or athletic training and utility work. Of special consideration is workers required to wear PPE, such as hazmat responders. Regulatory guidelines may advise environmental monitoring with additional rest time and/or fluid intake during significant heat stress exposure.

As environmental temperature and humidity increase, there is an increase in the heat stress that is placed on the working individual. Working in the heat causes the body to rely on evaporation of sweat from the skin as the primary method of dissipating heat that is produced by the working muscles. As humidity increases, the ability to dissipate heat through evaporation is hindered, thus causing the body to have an increased body temperature, which increases the risk of Heat Stress.¹

Heat stress includes a series of conditions where the body is under stress from overheating. Heat-related illnesses include heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat rash, or heat stroke, each with its own symptoms and treatments. Symptoms can range from profuse sweating to dizziness, cessation of sweating, and collapse.²

This dangerous condition can be prevented by vigilant environmental monitoring and adherence to recommended guidelines.

For more information, email us at info@columbiaweather.com

¹https://ksi.uconn.edu/prevention/wet-bulb-globe-temperature-monitoring/#

²https://www.ehs.iastate.edu/services/occupational/heat-stress

Additional reference: https://www.weather.gov/tsa/wbgt