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Outdoor and indoor workers exposed to extreme heat or work in hot environments may experience occupational heat stress and be at risk for a heat-related illness. Occupational heat stress is the combination of metabolic heat, environmental heat, and clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE), which results in increased heat storage within ...
Train supervisors and workers about heat stress. Use a buddy system where workers observe each other for signs of heat-related illnesses. Require workers to conduct self-monitoring and create a work group (i.e. workers, a qualified healthcare provider, and a safety manager) to make decisions on self-monitoring options and standard operating ...
OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool. The OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool is a useful resource for planning outdoor work activities based on how hot it feels throughout the day. It has a real-time heat index and hourly forecasts specific to your location. It also provides occupational safety and health recommendations from OSHA and NIOSH.
Occupational exposure to heat can result in injuries, disease, reduced productivity, and death. To address this hazard, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has evaluated the scientific data on heat stress and hot environments and has updated the Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Hot Environments.
Heat stress, from exertion or hot environments, places workers at risk for illnesses such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, or heat cramps. Heat Stroke A condition that occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature, and can cause death or permanent disability.
In addition, the level of acclimatization each worker reaches is relative to the initial level of physical fitness and the total heat stress experienced by the individual. Maintaining acclimatization Workers can maintain their acclimatization even if they are away from the job for a few days, such as when they go home for the weekend.
Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature: the body's temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. When heat stroke occurs, the body temperature can rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes.
Basic recommendations that can be applied to many different workplaces can be found on the Heat Stress Recommendations. If heat stress is a hazard at your workplace, consult with a safety and health professional, and review the full recommendations provided in the NIOSH Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposures to Heat and Hot ...
Text equivalent Protect your workers from heat stress Develop an acclimatization plan. Acclimatization is the result of beneficial physiological adaptations (e.g., increased sweating efficiency and stabilization of the circulation) that occur after gradual increased exposure to a hot environment.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 established NIOSH as a research agency focused on the study of worker safety and health, and empowering employers and workers to create safe and healthy workplaces.