Qatar: cooled construction hats draw interest
Qatar's construction cooling hats are gaining global attention.
A helmet developed by Qatar University, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy and Aspire Zone could revolutionise the construction sector.
Designed to reduce construction workers' body temperature by up to ten degrees centigrade, a solar-powered cooled helmet designed and developed in Qatar has drawn global interest from as far afield as South Korea, Spain and Mexico.
Dr Saud Abdul-Aziz Abdul-Ghani, Professor at the College of Engineering at Qatar University explained how demand has driven the need for this type of technology: “There is a global demand, because there is a worldwide need for such technology. The safety of workers in hot climates is something that is a priority in countries across the world, and it is very rewarding to see that the research we have conducted here in Qatar can fulfil a global need.”
He added that interest has been shown by a Spanish company that specialised in kit for the protection of workers, along with a company from Holland.
“We’ve seen that locally a lot of companies have approached us, as well as regionally, with interest from the UAE in the oil and gas sector, where they were looking to combat heat stress for workers and wanted to make them work in safer conditions,” he added.
The first batch of the innovative hard-hats will be distributed to workers on construction sites for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar this summer.
A construction company from South Korea also wants to trial the helmet, the professor added, while contact has also been made from companies in Egypt, India and Mexico.
“I believe this could revolutionise the industry globally, and change the way in which construction work in hot climates is conducted. This is already proving to be a legacy of 2022, because the impulse of the tournament is helping to drive innovation forward in the region,” he said
The US has already used this type of body-based cooling technology in hot states for sports and training, but this is the first time the concept has been adapted for the construction sector.
