Dehydration can be a serious health issue in the mining industry, but a new Australian product to be developed with input from Flinders University’s Medical Device Partnering Program (MDPP) is set to more effectively help mine managers implement their health and safety policies. Hydralert – a concept developed by occupational hygienist Ryan Wynch – is a compact device placed in urinals to analyse a person’s hydration level in real time and provide immediate feedback. Hydration data can then be downloaded by occupational hygienists to target hydration promotion and trend data among work groups.

The concept is one of two projects to receive expert design and development assistance from the MDPP, as part of the South Australian Government’s Medical Technologies Program (MTP). The prototype developed by the MDPP will later be integrated into clinical trials by Occulert Pty Ltd.

Australia’s Manufacturing and Innovation Minister Susan Close said the Medical Technologies Program provides support for the early stage development of commercially viable medical and assistive devices such as Hydralert. “Heat stress can be a serious safety issue because it impairs concentration, decreases productivity and causes illness,” Dr Close said. “If successful, Hydralert will provide an innovative alternative to current time-consuming approaches, allowing employees to self-test day or night, without the need for a health professional.”