TNO is Developing Monitoring Method for Core Temperature in Prospie Project

Employees that are constantly exposed to heat can now be informed in time about their body temperature and so prevent overheating, thanks to an innovative method developed by TNO.

If outside temperatures get high in the summer, employees that are exposed to the heat due to the work they do run an increased risk of heatstroke. The obvious question is whether it is responsible to work in such heat. It is known that once the core body temperature rises above 38.5°C, the risk of heatstroke increases.

In the European Prospie (Protective Responsive Outer Shell for People in Industrial Environments) project that is led by the Dutch TNO organization, an innovative method has been developed to constantly monitor people who are exposed to high temperatures during their work, without causing the employee any inconvenience. Sensors integrated into a T-shirt and thin scarf are able to make a good estimate of the core body temperature on the basis of skin temperature, moisture and heartbeat frequency. Once the temperature exceeds 38.5°C, a warning light on the work clothing turns on, allowing the employee to take measures to prevent any further rise. This work clothing with sensors has been tested in the Netherlands at TATA-steel. In Italy, this monitoring system has been applied to road workers, and in Lithuania among workers in the ceramics industry.

Led by TNO, 16 companies and organizations from seven European countries participated in the project that focused on monitoring and cooling systems in protective clothing for employees.