How CrewCanopy chooses a heat lane

CrewCanopy is a browser-first decision aid for real shift planning. It combines a rough heat-index estimate with work amplifiers so a lead can move faster from weather data to an operating plan.

Inputs that drive the lane

• Temperature and humidity set the base heat burden.
• Sun exposure raises risk when the crew is in full sun or on radiant surfaces.
• Workload and gear drag matter because heavy exertion and restrictive PPE trap more body heat.
• Acclimatization, water access, rest quality, and worker vulnerability change how much operational margin the crew has.

Lane thresholds

• Steady-cover lane: low combined score; keep basic water, shade, and watch checks active.
• Managed-heat lane: moderate score; shorten the cycle, stage more water, and start active supervision.
• Hard-control lane: high score; restructure the work around cooling, rotation, and closer monitoring.
• Stop-reset lane: very high score; heavy work should pause, move earlier, or be reset into aggressive cooling windows.

Why the outputs stay practical

CrewCanopy does not try to replace WBGT instruments, medical protocols, or employer policy. Instead it converts the common site questions — “How hard can we push?”, “How much water do we stage?”, “How often do we stop?”, “What do I tell the crew?” — into a clear first-pass answer.

Important limitations

• The heat index is only an estimate and does not capture every site factor.
• Radiant heat, reflective surfaces, limited airflow, medication, illness, and site-specific hazards can make the real risk worse.
• If your organization uses stricter rules, WBGT readings, or mandatory work-rest tables, follow those controls first.