Heat Stress: Worker Safety

WBGT System for Worker Safety

Essential Systems & Services, Qatar

It's no secret that exposure to high temperatures and humidity poses a significant health risk for those who work outdoors, especially in the summer months.

Recognizing the importance of monitoring on-site environmental conditions to prevent heat stress in outdoor workers, Essential Systems & Services installed eight Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) systems across facilities in Doha, Qatar.

These facilities include system integration workshops (handling automation, analyzer, fire & gas systems), process equipment assembly areas, site logistics and loading bays, and outdoor equipment testing zones.

How are heat stress monitoring systems used for outdoor worker safety?

“Heat stress monitoring is a critical part of ensuring safety compliance, especially under Ministerial Decision No. 17 of 2021 here in Qatar,” says Abdul Arbaaz, QHSE Officer at ESS. 

Abdul expounded in a recent blog post:

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Beating the Qatar Heat: More Than Just a Number
Qatar’s summer heat is no joke — with WBGT exceeding 34°C and heat index over 48°C, we needed real answers, not guesswork.

That’s why we’ve installed the Columbia Weather Station – Model Orion 536 at our facility. Not just for display — but for keeping our workers safe and doing things the right way.

Why didn’t we just use a cheaper handheld WBGT meter?

Sure, they cost less. But they come with serious limitations:

• – No continuous tracking
• – Operator-dependent readings
• – No environmental context (wind, solar radiation)
• – No historical data storage for audits or review

Here’s what the Orion 536 gives us:

• – Real-time WBGT, heat index, temperature, humidity, wind speed, and barometric pressure
• – 24/7 data logging via integrated MicroServer
• – Hourly WBGT and heat index logs maintained as part of our HSE records
• – Instant visibility of thermal risk for smarter work planning

Why this matters:

• – Complies with Qatar Ministry of Labour – Ministerial Decision No. 17 of 2021, which mandates outdoor heat monitoring between June 1 and September 15
• – Aligned with international standards: ISO 7243 – Evaluation of heat stress using the WBGT index, ISO 45001:2018 Clause 8.1.2 – Control of environmental workplace risks
• – Enables data-driven safety decisions: Work/rest cycles, Hydration and cooling breaks, Heat-related safety briefings, Produces audit-ready records for inspections and ISO documentation

This investment is more than just a weather station — it’s about being accountable, proactive, and prioritizing the well-being of our team.

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Links for additional information:

Essential Systems & Services Website

Wet Bulb Globe Temperature System

Heat Stress Monitoring Systems

“That’s why we’ve installed the Columbia Weather Station . . . Not just for display — but for keeping our workers safe and doing things the right way.”

Photos courtesy of Abdul Arbaaz / ESS