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Every year, dozens of workers die and thousands more become ill while working in hot or humid conditions. OSHA's Heat Illness Prevention campaign educates employers and workers on heat hazards and provides resources to keep workers safe.
Heat illness can contribute to decreased performance, lost productivity due to illness and hospitalization, and possibly death. OSHA encourages water, rest, and shade as prevention as well as treatment for heat-related illness.
Heat-related Illnesses and First Aid. Heat stroke, the most serious form of heat-related illness, happens when the body becomes unable to regulate its core temperature. Sweating stops and the body can no longer rid itself of excess heat. Signs include confusion, loss of consciousness, and seizures. Heat stroke is a medical emergency that may ...
Heat exposure may result in serious illness or even death, both of which are preventable. This fact sheet provides information on how to recognize and respond to symptoms of heat illness, the risk factors for heat illness, and methods to mitigate heat hazards in both indoor and outdoor workplaces.
Heat Illness Prevention: Protecting Workers from the Effects of Heat Fact Sheet (OSHA FS-3743 - 2023) ( English: PDF ) (OSHA 4371 - 2023 ) ( Español: PDF )
Information for Workers. Federal law entitles you to a safe workplace. Exposure to heat can cause illness and death. Workers should know their rights and what they can do to prevent heat illness. Your Rights at Work. When it comes to extreme heat at work, you have the right to: Speak up about hazards without fear of retaliation.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has published criteria for a recommended standard for occupational heat stress. The NIOSH document includes recommendations for employers about how to prevent heat-related illnesses.
Heat illness is preventable. Drink cool water. Take rest breaks. Find shade or a cool area. Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing where possible. Check on each other. Some equipment can increase your heat exposure. If a worker experiences: Headache or nausea. Weakness or dizziness. Heavy sweating. Hot and dry skin High body temperature.
Sep 20, 2021 · In October 2021, OSHA will take a significant step toward a federal heat standard to ensure protections in workplaces across the country by issuing an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on heat injury and illness prevention in outdoor and indoor work settings.
Jul 27, 2023 · WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that its Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued a heat hazard alert to remind employers of their obligation to protect workers against heat illness or injury in outdoor and indoor workplaces.
