sun water. rest. shade. The work can't get done without them.
Home Educational Resources: Factsheets / Posters / Training Material Using the Heat IndexTraining Resources Media Resources

Training Resources

Thousands of workers are affected by heat illness each year. Environmental heat is a recognized hazard.  Workers have the right to receive information and training about hazards and their prevention, and it is the employer's responsibility to provide this.

In a training, it is important to include the health effects of heat, how and when to respond to symptoms, and how to prevent them from occurring. The OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Training Guide [1 MB PDF*, 40 pages] includes information in short, interactive lesson plans that can be completed in a tailgate or toolbox talk. Training should be in a language that the worker can understand.

Knowledge is the first step of prevention. To create a plan of preventing heat illness to communicate during these trainings, Using the Heat Index: A Guide for Employers [635 KB PDF*, 44 pages] is a helpful resource. Having a plan and knowing what to do in the event of a heat-related emergency is part of first aid that can save lives.

OSHA Training Resources

Thumbnail image of publication cover - Water. Rest. Shade.

OSHA Heat Prevention Lesson Plan
Guide to carry out heat safety training, with lesson plans (tailgate or toolbox talks).
Available in English [7 MB PDF*, 43 pages] and en español [9 MB PDF*, 43 pages]

Other Training Resources

Cal/OSHA Heat Safety Training Kit for Employers**
Resources available in English, Spanish, Hmong, Punjabi

Cal/OSHA DVD: Water, Rest, Shade: The Work Can’t Get Done Without Them**
DVD available in English, Spanish, Hmong, Punjabi, Mixteco

Washington State Department of Labor and Industries Outdoor Heat Exposure (OHE, Heat Stress)**
Resources available in English and many in Spanish

Guide for tailgate training: Heat Hazards in Agriculture [2 MB PDF, 44 pages]
Labor Occupational Health Program's (University of California, Berkeley, 2008)
Also available en español [2 MB PDF, 44 pages]

Script for Instructors: Dangers of Heat Stress.
Farm Safety Association, Inc. (2003)
Also available in en français and en español

Extension Training Module: Heat Stress.
Ohio State University
Also available en español

Fact Sheet: Heat Stress [169 KB PDF, 2 pages]
Texas Department of Insurance
Also available en español [172 KB PDF, 2 pages]

**NOTE: California and Washington state have their own heat illness prevention standards; these materials reflect the requirements in those standards.

Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management at (202) 693-2300 for assistance accessing PDF materials.

*These files are provided for downloading.
Highlights
Heat Safety Tool
Smartphone App
Heat Safety Tool - Smartphone App
Shows locations of outdoor worker, heat-related fatalities between 2008 and 2012.
Shows locations of outdoor worker, heat-related fatalities
between 2008 and 2012.

Dr. David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health on the Campaign to Prevent Heat Illness
Dr. David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health on the Campaign to Prevent Heat Illness

How can OSHA help? Workers have a right to a safe workplace. If you think your job is unsafe or you have questions, contact OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742). It's confidential. We can help. For other valuable worker protection information, such as Workers' Rights, Employer Responsibilities, and other services OSHA offers, visit OSHA's Workers' page.

OSHA also provides help to employers. OSHA's On-site Consultation Program offers free and confidential advice to small and medium-sized businesses in all states across the country, with priority given to high-hazard worksites. For more information or for additional compliance assistance contact OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742). It's confidential. We can help.