AgWeatherNet and the University of Washington are partnering to develop a new heat awareness and alert system to help agricultural workplaces prepare for heat waves like we’ve seen recently. The system will take into account temperature, humidity and other environmental factors to determine when conditions are not favorable or unhealthy for workers. Advance notice of extremely hot days will help prioritize work activities so workers stay healthy and productive and crop loss is avoided.
Incorporating feedback from orchard owners, managers and others who work in the agricultural industry is important for creating a heat awareness system that can serve the needs of the agricultural community. Our goals are to minimize injury risk and maximize worker productivity, which is ultimately the most profitable combination.
We would like to invite you to participate in a 30-minute interview, so we can learn more about your specific needs for developing the heat awareness system. After a prototype system is created by incorporating the feedback we receive, we will ask you to access the prototype system through the AgWeatherNet website and complete a 15-minute evaluation of the system, either over the phone or in person.
Participation is confidential, so the names of participating companies or individuals will not be published, presented, or otherwise disclosed.
>>If you would like to participate or have questions, please contact Jen Krenz at jkrenz@uw.edu or 206-616-4213.