Magid, MISSION open second heat safety lab at UConn

The Korey Stringer Institute (KSI) at the University of Connecticut (UConn) recently opened a new facility to support its growing occupational heat safety work.

The National Laboratory for Occupational Heat Safety at UConn’s Korey Stringer Institute Powered by Magid & MISSION officially opened Nov. 12 with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the 750-square-foot site in Gampel Pavilion.

KSI has a close relationship with both MISSION and Magid to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of their products through KSI’s scientific testing and research capabilities.

“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with both MISSION and Magid,” said Douglas Casa, KSI CEO and board of trustees distinguished professor in kinesiology. “Our collaboration does so much to improve safety for laborers and athletes around the world. It provides credibility for the effectiveness of innovative products, and KSI has even more experience working with these populations in real-life conditions in the best facilities possible.”

MISISON’s second heat lab with KSI

The National Lab for Occupational Heat Safety is KSI’s second facility on UConn’s campus to conduct its heat safety research, the first being the MISSION Heat Lab which opened in 2017.

Founded in 2009 by a group of professional athletes, including Serena Williams, Dwyane Wade, and Drew Brees, MISSION provides head-to-toe cooling and heat-relief products designed to improve safety and performance for anyone who works, plays, or lives in the heat.

“MISSION is proud to partner with KSI on our second Heat Lab at UConn,” said Jocelyn Thornton, MISSION CEO. “Through innovative solutions like cooling, we’re dedicated to improving heat safety for both laborers and athletes in all conditions. We’re excited to continue this journey together and look forward to the accomplishments we’ll achieve at the new Occupational Heat Safety Lab.”

With a commitment to addressing heat-related risks, MISSION established its Heat Health & Safety division, focused on providing comprehensive products that can enhance employee safety in high-temperature environments.

Magid committed to worker protection

Founded in 1946, Magid is a fourth-generation family-owned safety PPE provider using in-house manufacturing and a worldwide network of suppliers.

“We’re proud to partner with KSI, an organization that shares our commitment to protecting workers from preventable injuries,” said Gary Cohen, Magid owner and senior director of global product strategy and quality. “Together, we’re combining innovation and expertise to advance heat safety solutions that keep people safe where it matters most - on the job.”

New facility supports high-altitude simulation

Alongside being able to study the impact of heat, humidity, sun, and wind, the new facility will allow KSI’s team of researchers to expand their work to altitudes of up to 12,000 feet. The facility contains equipment that can replicate high-altitude conditions by removing oxygen from the air.

Founded in 2010, KSI focuses on three populations: athletes, warfighters, and laborers. Because of its specialized research capabilities, KSI serves as a heat mitigation provider for some of America’s largest companies, including Delta Airlines and UPS, to tackle the health and economic impact of heat stress.

KSI is located within UConn’s College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources (CAHNR), and the institute recently expanded with a satellite lab within the Brooks College of Health at the University of North Florida.