To reduce heat stress risk in harsh environments, Australia’s leading manufacturer of radio frequency (RF) communication technology products, GME, has developed a first-of-its-kind Wearable Heat Risk Monitor prototype for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) – being trialled by Army personnel in the Northern Territory this month.
Heat risk is a significant issue for workplace safety and force preservation, currently mitigated with activity cycles informed by specialised thermal monitoring equipment. To further reduce heat stress risk, the Army engaged GME to develop a wearable environmental monitoring technology that’s capable of continuous, real-time personal heat stress monitoring without manual input.
Leveraging the expertise of GME’s engineering and industrial design teams, the result is a portable device that provides local commanders and soldiers with live insights that facilitate timely action to minimise heat risk. Combining environmental sensors and real-time data analytics, the Wearable Heat Stress Monitor works by continuous environment monitoring and tracking workforce activity patterns to flag potential heat-related incidents.
GME General Manager Defence, Security and Resilience, Christopher Rule, said the trial reinforces the company’s commitment to the Defence sector and the ADF and leverages GME’s sovereign engineering and manufacturing capabilities. “We’re motivated by the ADF’s commitment to workplace safety and force preservation, using GME’s sovereign engineering and manufacturing capabilities to design this industry-leading device that has the potential to save lives in heat stress environments,” Rule said.
Head of Army Safety Colonel Brendan Robinson said the trial demonstrates the Australian Army’s proactive approach to safeguarding soldiers in challenging environments. “Trialling innovative solutions like this allows us to better manage heat-related risks and maintain operational readiness wherever we are working, including tropical areas such as the Northern Territory,” Colonel Robinson said.
The field trial occurring in October will assess the prototype’s performance, including wearability and ease of use for soldiers. These results will inform a final product for the Army and the wider community.
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