OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention campaign, launched in 2011, educates employers and workers on the dangers of working in the heat. Through training sessions, outreach events, informational sessions, publications, social media messaging and media appearances, millions of workers and employers have learned how to protect workers from heat. The safety message comes down to three key words: Water. Rest. Shade.

Dangers of Working in the Heat

Every year, dozens of workers die and thousands more become ill while working in extreme heat or humid conditions. There are a range of heat illnesses and they can affect anyone, regardless of age or physical condition.

Preventing Heat Illness:

1. Ease into work by increasing intensity by 20% each day
2. Drink cool water even if you’re not thirsty
3. Rest for long enough o recover from the heat
4. take breaks in a shady or cool area
5. Wear a hat and dress for the heat
6. Watch out for each other
7. Verbally check on workers wearing face coverings

6 Symptoms or Heat Ilness:

1. Headache or nausea
2. Weakness or dizziness
3. Heavy sweating or hot, dry skin
4. Elevated body temperature
5. Thirst
6. Decrease urine output
   

6 Actions To Take:

1. Give cool water to drink
2. Remove unnecessary clothing
3. Move to a cooler area
4. Cool with water, ice or a fan
5. Do not leave alone
6. Seek medical care (if needed)

When to seek medical care

But, how will you know when to seek medical care? If someone is showing the following signs:

1. Abnormal thinking or behavior
2. Slurred Speech
3. Seizures
4. Loss of consciousness

Call 911 immediately, cool the person down with water or ice and be sure to stay with the person until help arrives.

Employer Responsibility to Protect Workers

Under OSHA law, employers are responsible for providing workplaces free of known safety hazards. This includes protecting workers from extreme heat. An employer with workers exposed to high temperatures should establish a complete heat illness prevention program.

• Provide workers with water, rest and shade.
• Allow new or returning workers to gradually increase workloads and take more frequent breaks as they acclimatize, or build a tolerance for working in the heat.
• Plan for emergencies and train workers on prevention.
• Monitor workers for signs of illness.

Resources

OSHA’s Occupational Exposure to Heat page explains what employers can do to keep workers safe and what workers need to know – including factors for heat illness, adapting to working in indoor and outdoor heat, protecting workers, recognizing symptoms, and first aid training. The page also includes resources for specific industries and OSHA workplace standards. Also look for heat illness educational and training materials on our Publications page.