A Comprehensive Usability and Economic Analysis of Heat-Related Wearable Technologies: Applications to Occupational Health

The purpose of this research was to analyze the usability and economic considerations of real-time wearable technologies that are implemented in occupational settings to assess risk of heat stress and heat strain. The study population included current agriculture workers and Department of Energy (DOE), Environmental Management (EM) contractors. We employed a mixed-methods approach to comprehensively analyze the usability and economic considerations of heat-related technologies. Specifically, our approach assessed three distinct aspects the applications of these technologies in occupational settings to comprehensively address our research objective: (1) worker perceptions of heat-related wearable technologies, (2) field-based assessment of these heat-related wearable technologies, and (3) the economic impacts of using and implementing wearable technologies for heat strain risk. The results of this research demonstrate that the devices are generally perceived favorably by workers, can be used for real-time occupational heat assessment, and the devices can increase productivity. Our findings offer practical strategies and key considerations that employers should address during the deployment of these technologies. We conclude by outlining a comprehensive strategy for the utilization and implementation of heat related technologies. This research contributes to the existing occupational heat literature by offering a holistic business perspective that integrates risk assessments, worker engagement, and industrial economics.