Extreme heat presents an increasing jobsite safety challenge for construction teams working outdoors, particularly in regions experiencing prolonged high temperatures. Hensel Phelps is testing wearable cooling technology as a potential supplemental measure for workers exposed to demanding heat conditions.
Diverge, Hensel Phelps' innovation-focused company, is working with Eztia to evaluate HydraVolt, a wearable material incorporating cooling gel into performance fabric.
The material is designed to respond to increasing body temperature by drawing heat away from the skin and releasing it through evaporation. According to the project information, HydraVolt can lower skin surface temperature by as much as 10 degrees Celsius and provide up to eight hours of cooling during strenuous activity.
The system does not rely on batteries or electrical power and can be recharged with water, which could simplify use in field environments where access to charging infrastructure is limited.
Initial testing was conducted by Kyle Tomak, senior innovation manager at Diverge, during outdoor work in Phoenix when temperatures reached 114 F. Following that evaluation, the material was provided to Hensel Phelps safety directors in multiple locations for additional testing and feedback.
The pilot is focused on practical considerations, including durability, usability and performance under actual construction conditions.
Hensel Phelps continues to treat the technology as a supplement rather than a replacement for established heat-illness prevention practices. Existing safety procedures remain the primary approach to managing heat exposure.
For construction owners and contractors, extreme heat can affect worker safety, productivity and jobsite operations. Wearable technologies offer one potential avenue for addressing heat exposure, but their value depends on performance under real working conditions.
Hensel Phelps' field evaluation approach provides a way to assess emerging safety technology directly on construction sites before considering broader applications. For contractors operating in hot-weather markets, practical testing can help determine whether new cooling systems can complement established safety programs.
Source: Hensel Phelps.
