Heat Stress – WNYCOSH

FOR DOWNLOADABLE MULTI-LINGUAL FLIERS, CLICK BELOW

አማርኛ عَرَبِيّ বাংলা မြန်မာဘာသာ 官话 دری English فارسی français ကညီကျိာ် ꤊꤢ꤬ꤛꤢ꤭ꤜꤟꤤ Ikinyarwanda नेपाली Soomaali‎ español Kiswahili ትግርኛ việt

what is heat stress?

Heat stress, along with heat exhaustion and heat stroke, are heat-related illnesses.

Heat stress happens when your body is too hot and unable to cool down. Workers who work outside and inside can be at risk of heat stress or other heat-related illnesses if their workplace does not have heat illness prevention measures.

Heat stress can quickly turn into heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which can be severe or deadly. If someone shows signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, call 911 immediately.

What are the symptoms of heat stress?

Early signs of heat stress include:

dehydration or being thirsty
muscle cramps
heat rash: small raised red bumps or blisters that may may itch, hurt, and/or cause a prickly feeling
confusion

What about heat exhaustion or heat stroke?

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can occur if heat stress symptoms are not addressed quickly.

Heat exhaustion symptoms include:

headache
nausea
dizziness
weakness
irritability
heavy sweating
decreased urine output

Heat stroke symptoms may include:

red, hot, and dry skin
high body temperature
confusion
fainting
convulsions

Heat-related illnesses, including heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, can be extremally dangerous.

Call 911 immediately if someone shows signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

What can my workplace do to prevent heat-related illnesses?

Employers should have a plan for heat. This should include:

heat acclimatization: several days to get used to hot weather or working conditions, where work time is slowly increased
access to cool, shaded areas for breaks
more frequent breaks to cool down and drink water
access to water
air-conditioned or cool areas below 82ºF
changes to uniforms or work apparel to include light-colored clothing and wide-brimmed hats
changes to workloads or schedules to minimize exposure to heat
ability to slow down or change tasks when needed
heat shielding or barriers when possible
a heat action plan and training for workers on the signs of heat stress, exhaustion and stroke