Barcelona City Council has announced plans to purchase 1,000 anti-heatstroke bracelets for municipal gardening staff. This pilot scheme aims to protect outdoor workers from extreme summer temperatures.
The initiative safeguards employees of Parcs i Jardins (Parks and Gardens) by monitoring their physiological response to heat in real-time. This move follows a difficult summer last year, which saw record-breaking temperatures in June. Meanwhile, a tragic death of a municipal cleaning worker after a shift in Ciutat Vella highlighted the risks.
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Home » Anti-heatstroke bracelets: Barcelona buys 1,000 for park workers
Anti-heatstroke bracelets monitor deep body temperature
According to the technical specifications of the tender, the new anti-heatstroke bracelets operate differently from standard environmental thermometers. Rather than measuring the air temperature, the devices monitor the worker’s “deep” body temperature.
Municipal sources clarified that the device is “not an indicator of ambient temperature, but of the trend of the person’s vital signs.” The technology ignores external radiant heat sources, such as direct sunlight hitting the wrist. Therefore, it focuses exclusively on the physiological stress the worker is experiencing.
If a worker’s internal temperature rises to a level that indicates a risk of heatstroke, the bracelet triggers an individualised alarm. The warning system utilises a combination of visual lights, acoustic signals, and vibrations. Consequently, the user notices the alert immediately. The device continues to monitor the user until their temperature returns to safe levels.
Preventive measures and limitations of anti-heatstroke bracelets
The council has positioned the anti-heatstroke bracelets as a pilot test rather than a standalone solution. The tender documentation acknowledges that the devices are not a panacea. An individual’s reaction to heat depends on variables such as general health, hydration, rest, and heat accumulation outside working hours.
Consequently, the technology will serve as a complement to existing safety protocols. Parcs i Jardins currently implements adapted workflows during intense heat, including:
- Additional mandatory breaks every hour.
- Reinforced water supplies and hydration checks.
- Rescheduling the most physically demanding tasks to the cooler early morning hours.
- Providing specialised breathable summer clothing, cooling caps, and thermal water bottles.
Following the scrutiny of municipal safety measures after last year’s fatality, the council maintains that these new anti-heatstroke bracelets represent a proactive step. In addition, they aim to prevent heat-related illnesses as summers become increasingly severe. This initiative builds upon others, such as Barcelona’s pilot of a tactical 5G network for emergency services.
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