Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has rolled out a new innovative wearable technology under its annual ‘Beat the Heat’ program, aimed at protecting industrial workers from heat-related illness during the scorching UAE summer.
As heat-related illness is dangerous and can be fatal if untreated, EGA runs its annual ‘Beat the Heat’ program, a comprehensive, summer-long initiative centered on occupational heat stress. The program, running for more than a decade, raises awareness among its employees of early warning signs and empowers them to take proactive measures to beat it.
Despite generating heat and operating continuously outdoors throughout the summer, EGA’s proactive safety measures have prevented cases of heat-related illness since 2021, cementing the company’s position as a key player in combating heat-related illness.
Since 2022, EGA has been trialing wearable technology to monitor critical health indicators. The new wearable technology is developed for harsh industrial environments like smelters, providing enhanced location services, connectivity and consistent real-time data feeds accessible by EGA supervisors and medical teams. The devices offer automated work and rest cycles if core body temperature rises beyond a specified threshold.
Abdulnasser Bin Kalban CEO – EGA
“Heat-related illness is a serious challenge in our region. At EGA, our goal each summer is to engage everyone in ensuring we have zero cases of heat-related illness at our company, and together we have a long track record of success. Technology has the potential to make our Beat the Heat program even more effective.”
The ‘Beat the Heat’ program includes hydration testing before and during shifts, scheduled cooling breaks, access to cooling showers, and dedicated rest zones across EGA’s operations. To stay comfortable and hydrated, employees and contractors utilize cooling booths, drinking water stations, icemakers, and portable air conditioning units.
Last year, EGA achieved zero recordable heat-related illnesses for the third consecutive summer. EGA’s last cases of recordable heat-related illness were in 2021, both patients were treated with hydration via intravenous drips and recovered fully within hours.
