Qatar Mobility Innovations Centre (Qmic) has announced an agreement with Qatar Foundation (QF) to pilot an innovative solution to ensure the safety of students and employees at schools.
Qmic deployed its Automated Heat Stress Monitoring Solution (Humidex) at three QF schools to facilitate accurate and timely monitoring of outdoor environments. This can determine whether it is safe to allow students to spend time outdoors based on heat stress levels and what precautions to take. Humidex provides a smart and intelligent alternative to traditional, mostly manual, or inaccurate, heat stress assessment methods and delivers various benefits to all relevant stakeholders.
The system has already seen success with a major oil and gas company in Qatar that has been using it for the last two years, where it proved effective in ensuring worker safety in harsh environments. This paved the way for Qmic to work closely with QF to deploy a version of this smart solution which is suited for deployment at school facilities.
Humidex automatically measures heat stress levels and sends out warning messages when it reaches dangerous levels, with the information displayed on small, fixed screens to be seen by different users. When deployed in schools, this solution can ensure the safety of students by alarming supervisors to not let students in outdoor environments when there is a high level of heat stress. Humidex measurements and messages are done in accordance with methods mandated in Qatar by the Ministry of Labour and in accordance with global standards.
For students, this solution is an important tool in preserving their safety and providing them with the most comfortable learning environment possible to ensure their success and well-being. Parents and families can also be confident knowing that their children will not be exposed to harmful or harsh weather conditions while they are at school, especially during breaks and outdoor educational sessions. For school administration members and decision makers, this tool offers help in managing health safety operations, enhance their decision-making capabilities through continuously capturing heat stress data and readings, and provide them with an overall picture about heat stress trends and patterns, which would provide significant help for future planning and decision making.
Dr Adnan Abu-Dayya, Qmic CEO and executive director, commented: “Launching a Humidex version optimised for deployment at educational and sports facilities is a significant step towards enhancing the market impact and societal value of this automated and smart solution. This is in-line with our strategy of using R&D and innovations to enable smart and safe living in Qatar and the region. Partnering with QF to pilot the solution at three schools can serve as a first step towards working with national authorities on a potential large-scale deployment at many other schools in Qatar.”
Stephen Brigg, QF HSE executive director, added: “QF is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all its students. This initiative supports this commitment through the adoption of innovative technologies produced locally.”
The system has already seen success with a major oil and gas company in Qatar that has been using it for the last two years, where it proved effective in ensuring worker safety in harsh environments. This paved the way for Qmic to work closely with QF to deploy a version of this smart solution which is suited for deployment at school facilities.
Humidex automatically measures heat stress levels and sends out warning messages when it reaches dangerous levels, with the information displayed on small, fixed screens to be seen by different users. When deployed in schools, this solution can ensure the safety of students by alarming supervisors to not let students in outdoor environments when there is a high level of heat stress. Humidex measurements and messages are done in accordance with methods mandated in Qatar by the Ministry of Labour and in accordance with global standards.
For students, this solution is an important tool in preserving their safety and providing them with the most comfortable learning environment possible to ensure their success and well-being. Parents and families can also be confident knowing that their children will not be exposed to harmful or harsh weather conditions while they are at school, especially during breaks and outdoor educational sessions. For school administration members and decision makers, this tool offers help in managing health safety operations, enhance their decision-making capabilities through continuously capturing heat stress data and readings, and provide them with an overall picture about heat stress trends and patterns, which would provide significant help for future planning and decision making.
Dr Adnan Abu-Dayya, Qmic CEO and executive director, commented: “Launching a Humidex version optimised for deployment at educational and sports facilities is a significant step towards enhancing the market impact and societal value of this automated and smart solution. This is in-line with our strategy of using R&D and innovations to enable smart and safe living in Qatar and the region. Partnering with QF to pilot the solution at three schools can serve as a first step towards working with national authorities on a potential large-scale deployment at many other schools in Qatar.”
Stephen Brigg, QF HSE executive director, added: “QF is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all its students. This initiative supports this commitment through the adoption of innovative technologies produced locally.”