Warm weather can create serious safety concerns for workers, particularly employees whose jobs involve outdoor work, strenuous physical activity, or other conditions that increase heat exposure. Employers can take several practical steps to help protect workers from heat related illness and maintain a safe workplace.
Educate Workers About Heat Exposure
Employees should receive training on heat hazards, including how to recognize the symptoms of heat related illness and what to do when symptoms occur. This is especially important for workers who are new to working in hot conditions or who are returning after time away from work.
Employers should also make sure workers understand when to take breaks, where they can cool down, and how to report symptoms of heat related illness.
Provide Water and Encourage Hydration
Access to fluids is an important part of heat illness prevention. OSHA recommends providing workers with sufficient fluids and encouraging them to drink regularly while working in hot conditions.
Employers should make clean drinking water readily available and remind workers to stay hydrated throughout the workday.
Provide Rest and Cool Areas
Rest breaks can help workers recover from heat exposure. OSHA recommends using rest, shade, and fluids as part of a heat illness prevention program. Employers can also consider reducing workloads, adjusting schedules, or providing additional breaks when conditions create greater heat stress.
When possible, workers should have access to a shaded or otherwise cooler area where they can rest and recover from heat exposure.
Know the Signs of Heat Related Illness
Heat related illness can range from heat rash and heat cramps to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Symptoms of heat exhaustion can include heavy sweating, headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, thirst, and irritability.
Heat stroke is the most serious form of heat related illness. Signs can include confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures, and other changes in mental function. Heat stroke is a medical emergency. OSHA recommends calling 911 immediately and cooling the affected worker while waiting for emergency assistance.
Employers should have a clear heat illness response plan so workers and supervisors know how to respond when someone develops symptoms.
Pay Special Attention to New Workers
Workers who are new to hot environments can have a higher risk of heat related illness because they have not yet acclimatized to the conditions. OSHA recommends additional precautions for new workers, including shorter periods of work in the heat, more frequent rest breaks, training, and closer monitoring for symptoms.
This is particularly important for temporary workers who may be entering a new workplace or taking on physically demanding work in unfamiliar conditions.
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For more information about workplace heat exposure, prevention, and first aid, visit OSHA’s occupational heat exposure resources.