'Cooled' hard hats made for Qatar World Cup workers

A solar-powered helmet has been developed by researchers in Qatar to help keep construction workers on 2022 FIFA World Cup stadia keep cool in the summer months.

The concept uses a solar-powered fan to blow air over a cooled material at the top of the helmet, which will then come down over the front of the worker’s face.

The helmet reportedly has the potential to reduce skin temperature by up to 10 degrees centigrade.

It has been tested and patented by a group of Doha-based scientists working for World Cup delivery body the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) and Aspire Zone Foundation.

More helmets have now been ordered with the aim of incorporating them for the upcoming summer period across World Cup projects in Qatar.

Saud Abdul-Aziz Abdul-Ghani, professor at the College of Engineering at Qatar University, said the helmet could be used on construction sites across all regions similar to Qatar if it goes into mass production.

He said: “This type of innovative cooling technology will be ideal for the Middle East, Asia, Australia, Mexico and the USA, all countries with hot climates where this technology can help reduce heatstroke and regulate body temperatures for construction workers significantly.

“Once we have finished development we can roll this out to the region and to other hot areas as part of the legacy of [the 2022 World Cup].”

He added that the solar-powered helmets weigh an extra 300 grams compared to normal helmets, and would cost an additional 20 dollars, but said the results would be “felt immediately” due to less lost time on-site from heat-related complaints.