26CornerstoneSummer2026 agchouston.org Companies are also evaluating personal protective equipment through the lens of thermal performance. After reports indicated measurable temperature differ- ences compared to darker helmet colors, some contractors have transitioned to white hard hats and helmets. According to data from a Honeywell study, one group observed an 18-degree temperature dif- ference between blue and white. Some hard hat models even include integrated cooling features. Meanwhile, other heat safety measures are less visible but equally as important. For example, acclimatization programs have emerged as one of the most critical tools for reducing heat-related incidents, particularly among new hires and workers returning after extended time away from outdoor labor. “New workers, returning workers and crews moving between tasks are treated differently because their heat tolerance is not the same on day one,” Vega said. Ori- on’s company policy aligns with Anslow Bryant Construction’s, as workers follow strict limits on work hours and required cooling periods. “We also reinforce hydration expectations constantly, not just during toolbox talks but throughout the day in the field, too.” Contractors emphasize that it’s imper- ative for supervisors to be able to recog- nize heat illness before minor symptoms become critical emergencies — and to step in accordingly. “The most effective training is simple and repetitive,” Vega said. “We focus on early symptom recognition and under- standing different levels of heat illness, including dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, along with the appropriate response at each stage.” At Anslow Bryant, employees are trained to move affected workers to the shade or cooling areas, provide water, remove excess layers and initiate emer- gency procedures if symptoms do not improve. “Early response is essential,” noted Vega. Tech Tools for Hot Times Because heat contributed to 30% of Ori- on’s HSE incidents during peak summer months, the team began looking to imple- ment preventative measures to reduce heat stress cases. As a result, the company adopted VigiLife’s SafeGuard® wearable mon- itoring technology. Villalobos, a safety professional with a background in EMS, explained that the technology appealed to his team because it focused on pre- venting symptoms before they became dangerous. “The technology monitors workers’ core body temperatures and sends alerts to prompt action to cool down,” he said. “I like the idea of multiple layers of protection with alerts going to both the wearer and a guardian.” The devices generate escalating alerts ranging from low-level cooling reminders to elevated core temperature and heart rate warnings delivered simultaneously to employees and supervisors. During the peak of 2024’s summer, Orion ran a pilot program and saw immediate success with the 12 wearers. “Not one of our workers in the pilot program experienced any signs of heat stress,” he said. “Incidentally, they also reported noticing signs of early heat ill- ness in their coworkers.” The company expanded the program to 125 units in 2025, logging more than 14,000 monitored work hours without a single reported heat illness among par- ticipating users. During that period, the system generated more than 300 cooling alerts prompting workers and supervisors to take preventive action. Additional technologies are also emerg- ing as the market evolves, such as active hydration monitoring systems for workers. Impressively, wearables sensor like those from hDrop are even capable of analyzing sweat composition and recommending whether workers require water or addi- tional electrolytes. Still, even companies adopting advanced monitoring tools warn that technology is not a substitute for strong field supervision. “Technology is only as good as the response behind it,” Vega said. “If a system sends an alert but no one acts on it in the field, it doesn’t improve safety.” That perspective remains common throughout the industry. While wearable devices attract significant attention, many contractors continue to emphasize com- munication and peer awareness as the most effective frontline protections. “The most reliable system is still trained super- vision, situational awareness, communi- cation between crews and supervisors, and workers looking out for one another,” said Vega. That accountability increasingly includes using environmental data to guide operational decisions. Many con- tractors now monitor National Weather Fatigued employees don’t function well. We’ve seen declines in both the quality of the work and their productivity.
