Thuroona Services, a leading asbestos removal and occupational hygiene specialist, has completed a landmark trial of the Slate Safety Band V2 during a major asbestos removal project in Marble Bar, Western Australia — Australia’s hottest town. During the eight day project, temperatures soared between 38°C and 44.6°C, including five consecutive days above 42°C, creating extreme working conditions for the six person removal team.
The project involved removing approximately 800 m² of asbestos containing material from a cyclone damaged property. With workers required to wear full protective coveralls and respiratory equipment, managing thermal stress was a critical safety priority. Heat stress can lead to fatigue, cognitive impairment, and in severe cases, heat stroke—making proactive monitoring essential.
Real Time Physiological Monitoring in Extreme Heat
To strengthen heat stress controls, Thuroona Services trialled the Slate Safety Band V2, a wearable device that tracks core body temperature, heart rate, and exertion levels in real time. The device alerts both the wearer and supervisors when physiological thresholds are exceeded, enabling immediate intervention.
Live data from the armbands revealed that some workers were unintentionally pushing themselves too hard, triggering core temperature alerts. This insight allowed supervisors to adjust workloads, modify break schedules, and intervene early to prevent heat related illness. The technology also provided remote visibility of worker behaviour—particularly valuable when operatives were motivated to “push through” tasks despite rising thermal load.
Hydration and Behavioural Change
Alongside physiological monitoring, Thuroona implemented daily hydration testing to ensure workers began each shift in a safe state. Additional checks throughout the day helped maintain hydration levels as temperatures climbed.
The combination of hydration monitoring and real time physiological data led to meaningful behavioural changes. Workers became more aware of their own thermal load and adjusted their pace and rest patterns accordingly. Supervisors gained a clearer understanding of when to intervene, improving both safety and productivity.
A Successful Addition to Thuroona’s Safety Toolkit
The trial demonstrated that wearable safety technology can significantly enhance heat stress management in high risk, high heat environments. For Thuroona Services, the Slate Safety Band V2 proved to be a valuable addition to their risk mitigation strategy—supporting safer decision making, improving situational awareness, and protecting workers operating in some of the harshest conditions in Australia.
Thuroona Services described the trial as an overwhelming success, reinforcing their commitment to innovation and worker safety.
If you have any questions, need personalized recommendations, or want to share your thoughts, our dedicated team is here for you. Click the button below to head over to our Contact Us page – your gateway to seamless assistance and exceptional service.
