OSHA• NIOSH INFOSHEET

Protecting Workers from Heat Illness

At times, workers may be required to work in hot
environments for long periods. When the human body
is unable to maintain a normal temperature, heat-related
illnesses can occur and may result in death.This fact
sheet provides information to employers on measures
they should take to prevent heat-related illnesses and
death.

Factors That Increase Risk to Workers • Make sure that someone stays with the worker
• High temperature and humidity until help arrives.
• Direct sun exposure (with no shade) • Move the worker to a shaded, cool area and
remove outer clothing.
• Indoor exposure to other sources of radiant
heat (ovens, furnaces) • Wet the worker with cool water and circulate the
air to speed cooling.
• Limited air movement (no breeze)
• Place cold wet cloths or ice all over the body or
• Low fluid consumption
soak the worker’s clothing with cold water.
• Physical exertion
• Heavy personal protective clothing and Heat Exhaustion is the next most serious heat-
equipment related health problem.
• Poor physical condition or health problems
• Some medications, for example, different Symptoms of heat exhaustion:
kinds of blood pressure pills or antihistamines • Headache
• Pregnancy • Nausea
• Lack of recent exposure to hot working • Dizziness
conditions • Weakness
• Previous heat-related illness • Irritability
• Advanced age (65+) • Thirst
• Heavy sweating
Health Problems Caused by
• Elevated body temperature
Hot Environments
Heat Stroke is the most serious heat-related health • Decreased urine output
problem. Heat stroke occurs when the body’s
temperature regulating system fails and body If a worker shows signs of possible heat exhaustion:
temperature rises to critical levels. Heat stroke is • Workers with signs or symptoms of heat
a medical emergency that may rapidly result in exhaustion should be taken to a clinic or
death! emergency room for medical evaluation and
treatment.
Symptoms of heat stroke include: • If medical care is not available, call 911
• Confusion immediately.
• Loss of consciousness • Make sure that someone stays with the worker
• Seizures until help arrives.
• Very high body temperature • Workers should be removed from the hot area
and given liquids to drink.
• Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating
• Remove unnecessary clothing including shoes
If a worker shows signs of possible heat stroke: and socks.
• Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency! • Cool the worker with cold compresses to the
While first aid measures are being implemented, head, neck, and face or have the worker wash
call 911 and get emergency medical help. his or her head, face and neck with cold water.
• Encourage frequent sips of cool water. If the • Remind workers to frequently drink small
worker is unable to drink, get emergency amounts of water before they become thirsty to
medical help immediately. maintain good hydration. Simply telling them to
drink plenty of fluids is not sufficient. During
Heat Cramps are muscle pains usually caused by moderate activity, in moderately hot conditions,
physical labor in a hot work environment. Heat workers should drink about 1 cup every 15 to 20
cramps are caused by the loss of body salts and minutes. Instruct workers that urine should be
fluid during sweating. clear or lightly colored.
• Workers should eat regular meals and snacks
If a worker shows signs of possible heat cramps: as they provide enough salt and electrolytes to
• Workers should replace fluid loss by drinking replace those lost through sweating as long as
water and having a snack, and/or carbohydrate- enough water is consumed. Electrolyte drinks
electrolyte replacement liquids (e.g., sports (e.g. Gatorade®) are usually not necessary.
drinks) every 15 to 20 minutes. • Set up a buddy system if possible; if not, check
• Workers should avoid salt tablets. routinely (several times an hour) to make sure
• Get medical help if the worker has heart workers are making use of water and shade and
problems, is on a low sodium diet, or if cramps not experiencing heat-related symptoms.
do not subside within one hour. • Make workers aware that it is harmful to drink
extreme amounts of water. Workers should
Heat Rash is the most common problem in hot generally not drink more than 12 quarts (48 cups)
work environments. Heat rash is caused by in a 24 hour period. If higher amounts of fluid
sweating and looks like a red cluster of pimples or replacement are needed due to prolonged work
small blisters. Heat rash usually appears on the in high heat conditions, a more comprehensive
neck, upper chest, in the groin, under the breasts heat illness prevention program may be
and in elbow creases. warranted.
• Reduce the physical demands of the job. If heavy
If a worker shows signs of possible heat rash: job tasks cannot be avoided, change work/rest
• The best treatment for heat rash is to provide a cycles to increase the amount of rest time.
cooler, less humid work environment. • Schedule frequent rest periods with water breaks
• The rash area should be kept dry. in shaded or air-conditioned recovery areas.
• Powder may be applied to increase comfort. Note that air conditioning will NOT result in loss
• Ointments and creams should not be used on a of heat tolerance and is recommended for rest
heat rash. Anything that makes the skin warm or breaks.
moist may make the rash worse.
Additional Recommendations for Outdoor Work
Preventing Heat Illness Environments
The best way to prevent heat illness is to make the • Monitor weather reports daily and reschedule
work environment cooler. jobs with high heat exposure to cooler times of
the day. Be extra vigilant during heat waves
Recommendations for All Work Environments when air temperatures rise above normal.
(Indoors and Outdoors): When possible, routine maintenance and repair
• Train workers and supervisors about the hazards projects should be scheduled for the cooler
leading to heat illness and ways to prevent them. seasons of the year.
• Train workers to recognize symptoms in them-
Additional Recommendations for Indoor Work
selves and others.
Environments
• Train and encourage workers to immediately
• Indoor workplaces may be cooled by using air
report symptoms in themselves and others.
conditioning or increased ventilation, if cooler air
• If you have someone who is new to the job or is available from the outside.
who has been away for more than a week,
• Other methods to reduce indoor temperature
gradually increase the workload or allow more
include providing reflective shields to redirect
frequent breaks the first week.
radiant heat, insulating hot surfaces, and
• Provide workers with plenty of cool water in decreasing water vapor pressure, e.g., by sealing
convenient, visible locations close to the work steam leaks and keeping floors dry.
area. Water should have a palatable (pleasant
• The use of fans to increase the air speed over the
and odor-free) taste and water temperature
worker will improve heat exchange between the
should be 50-60oF if possible.
 skin surface and the air, unless the air temperature OSHA Publications
is higher than the skin temperature. OSHA has an extensive publications program.
• Reflective clothing, such as safety vests, worn as For a listing of free items, visit OSHA’s web site at
loosely as possible, can minimize heat illness. www.osha.gov/publications or contact the OSHA
Publications Office, U.S. Department of Labor, 200
Water-dampened cotton whole-body suits are
Constitution Avenue, N.W., N-3101, Washington, DC
an inexpensive and effective personal cooling 20210. Telephone (202) 693-1888 or fax to (202)
technique. Cooling vests with pockets that hold 693-2498.
cold packs are comfortable and effective.
• More complex and expensive water-cooled suits Contacting OSHA
are also available; however, these may require a To report an emergency, file a complaint or seek
battery-driven circulating pump and liquid OSHA advice, assistance or products, call (800) 321-
coolant. OSHA (6742) or contact your nearest OSHA regional,
area, or State Plan office; TTY: 1-877-889-5627.
• In worksites where high ambient temperatures
typically occur (e.g., foundries, steel mills),
Contacting NIOSH
professional consultation should be sought to To receive documents or more information about
evaluate the extent of the heat exposure and to occupational safety and health topics, please
make recommendations on how to prevent contact NIOSH: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636);
heat-related illnesses. TYY: 1-888-232-6348; e-mail: [email protected] or visit
the NIOSH web site at www.cdc.gov/niosh.
Resources
For more information about protecting workers from
heat-related illnesses visit:
• OSHA online at:
www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatstress/index.html
and www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_iii/otm_iii_4.html
• NIOSH online at:
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/
• Cal/OSHA’s Heat Safety program at:
www.99calor.org/english.html

This InfoSheet is advisory in nature and informational in content. It is not a standard or regulation, and it neither
creates new legal obligations nor alters existing obligations created by OSHA standards or the Occupational Safety
and Health Act. Pursuant to the OSH Act, employers must comply with safety and health standards and regulations
issued and enforced either by OSHA or by an OSHA-approved State Plan. In addition, the Act’s General Duty Clause,
Section 5(a)(1), requires employers to provide their employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards likely
to cause death or serious physical harm.The mention of any nongovernmental organization or link to its web site in
this guidance does not constitute an endorsement by NIOSH or OSHA of that organization or its products, services,
web site.

For more complete information:

OSHA 3438-5-11

www.cdc.gov/niosh
(800) 232-4636
DHHS (NIOSH) 2011-174

www.osha.gov
(800) 321-OSHA