Results of an experimental study on the heat stroke detection bracelet

Carried out as part of their partnership signed in June 2021, this study was carried out over 4 months, under real conditions of use of the bracelet by a population of 880 construction workers. The results obtained demonstrate the relevance of the smart bracelet as an assistance and aid device to prevent heatstroke, in an approach guided by the general principles of prevention.

Heat stroke, a major risk on construction sites

The ever more intense, frequent and prolonged heat waves, and the significant climatic variations have a direct impact on the construction and public works trades, many of whose activities are carried out outdoors. Construction professionals are thus increasingly exposed to the risk of heat stroke, which corresponds to a rise in body temperature above 39° C. This rise in internal temperature is a very weak signal which may escape to the vigilance of the professional who will not feel the need to request preventive action. However, heat stroke must be identified and treated quickly so as not to cause serious or even fatal organ damage. Aware of its impact on their health, construction industry players are therefore increasingly mobilized on this issue.

The implementation of an experimentation protocol on site

In this context, the OPPBTP, PRO BTP and Biodata bank entered into a partnership in June 2021 to identify possible innovative solutions by carrying out a large-scale national test based on the technology developed by the start- up. Its solution, the Heat Warning Watch CanariaTM, is a smart bracelet that can estimate heat accumulation in the body, with no communication connection required. Easy to distribute, hygienic and waterproof, the bracelet is intended to simply alert the user when his body temperature increases dangerously thanks to a visual and audible alarm.

As part of the experimental protocol, the bracelet was thus distributed to 880 employees of 53 companies, in 13 different professions, spread over 9 regions.

During the experimentation period, the managers were responsible for recording the daily meteorological temperatures and signaling the triggering of an alert threshold for the National Heatwave Plan. As for the wearers of the bracelets, they had to transmit to the persons in charge any information on the triggering of an alarm and on their state at the time of the alarm. A procedure has also been put in place to accompany the triggering of the alarm and come to the aid of the wearer of the bracelet.

At the end of the experiment, 555 wristbands could be analyzed (i.e. 75% of the wristbands distributed), and the information collected (6 data) was evaluated:

• quantitatively, thanks to the cross-referencing of environmental data (geography, meteorological thermal environment, activity) and biometric data (age, BMI, wearer's gender);
• qualitatively, through a feedback questionnaire produced by the OPPBTP and distributed to participants. The 26 questions related to the grip, the appropriation of the device, the training in its use, the alarms and their reliability, the comfort and the aesthetics, the hygiene, the robustness as well as the interest of the device.

A first conclusive experiment

In the light of the results obtained and the observations mentioned, the partners were able to observe the relevance of the solution as an assistance and aid device to prevent heatstroke, in an approach guided by the general principles of prevention. This version of the bracelet appears to be well suited to the specificities of the construction trades covered by the protocol, and complies with the regulatory requirements and the European directives applicable in this area. The duration of the experiment made it possible to ensure the good resistance of the device and its acceptability in real conditions. The alarms were actually perceived by the participants. However, improvements must be made concerning sound and light levels as well as the triggering of nuisance alarms. In addition, the lack of connectivity and collection of anonymous personal data by the device also made it possible to reassure companies and employees as to compliance with the GDPR.

“It's an innovative and easy-to-implement solution. A very good follow-up has been put in place, allowing us to explain the product to the various actors of the company as well as to our customers, with even a visit to see the working conditions of the bracelet wearers! The experimentation phase was an enriching experience which was appreciated by our employees. says one of the participating companies.

The marketing of this version of the bracelet is planned for May 2022.

For Mohamed Trabelsi, head of the PPE field within the Technical Department of the OPPBTP: "The field visits carried out as part of the experiment to monitor the implementation of the protocol were also an opportunity to raise companies' awareness of the risk associated with high heat and to present them with different solutions to overcome it. remedy. This experiment has thus made it possible to highlight all the possible organizational, collective and individual solutions available to construction companies to protect themselves from this risk, which should never be underestimated. »

For David Antoine Malinas, head of the French subsidiary of “Biodata Bank”: “Better understanding the issue of thermal risk on construction sites means understanding its impact on health, on our social protection system and on the organization of companies. It also means anticipating and preventing difficulties in a context of climate change. This study confirms the risks of exposure to full sun on outdoor trades. Employers are sensitive to this. The bracelet is therefore an excellent complement to hydration, which remains a pillar of health prevention. Its integration into daily life is simple and pragmatic, the bracelet allowing an action to be anticipated even before visible external signals appear. »

This conclusive experiment is the result of joint work between the OPPBTP, the start-up BIODATA BANK and PRO BTP.

For more details on the analysis of the study results, see the study report published on preventionbtp.fr.