Wet Bulb Globe Temperature for Worker Health and Safety

Worker health and safety are of prime concern when you manage a facility for the 7,000 people who work at the Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC). According to its website, “The KCNSC is a LEED Gold, multi-mission facility using the latest technologies and innovations in engineering, manufacturing and sourcing to fulfill our core mission: ensure the safety, security and reliability of our nation’s nuclear deterrent.” The facility is managed by Honeywell, a long-time customer of Columbia Weather Systems.

According to their Worker Safety and Health Program, weather monitoring is key in several areas of hazard identification, assessment, and emergency response.

One example is firearms training. Footing stability can be impaired by precipitation in any form.  Additionally, heat stress assessment is critical during high temperatures. Action level is based on a temperature of 85 degrees Fahrenheit/29 degrees Celsius, and one or more of the following conditions: direct solar/radiant heat load, greater than 70 percent relative humidity, heavy or strenuous physical exertion or thick garments.

In May of 2022, while local temperatures exceeded the 85-degree threshold, a worker suffered symptoms related to heat stress (i.e. heat cramps) during outdoor firearms training. 

Prevent Heat-Related Injury with WBGT and Environmental Monitoring

To help prevent future workplace injury and heat-related illness during outdoor training activities, Honeywell implemented environmental monitoring with a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) system purchased from Columbia Weather Systems. They also developed guidelines to cease outdoor training activities to ensure inclement weather hazards do not result in personal injury.

Wet Bulb Globe Temperature is a measure of environmental heat as it affects humans, taking into account temperature, humidity and other environmental factors. Essentially it is the temperature it “feels like” to your body. As environmental temperature and humidity increase, there is an increase in the heat stress that is placed on a working individual. As humidity increases, the ability to dissipate heat through sweat evaporation is hindered, causing body temperature to rise and increasing the risk of heat-related illness.

The system at KCNSC includes a Black Globe Temperature Sensor, Humidity and Ambient Temperature sensors in a self-aspirating radiation shield. Measurements are calculated and read from a standalone Weather Display for network security. Alarms can be set based on measured parameters.