Heat Illness Prevention

Employer Responsibilities

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, employers are responsible for providing workplaces free of known safety and health hazards. This includes protecting workers from heat-related hazards. Here are some actions you should take:

Create a Heat Illness Prevention Plan

Are your workers exposed to high temperatures, either indoors or outside? Use these resources to develop a heat illness prevention program:

• When heat hazards are present, plan ahead to protect workers.
• Understand heat hazards in your workplace and calculate heat stress.
• Protect new workers
• Get guidance on engineering controls, work practices, and PPE
• Remember water, rest, and shade

Provide Training for Workers

Employers should provide training to workers, including supervisors, so they understand heat exposure risks, prevention actions, and first aid.

• Provide training to all workers

Know First Aid for Heat Illness

Employers and workers should become familiar with the symptoms of heat illness. When any of these symptoms are present, promptly provide first aid.

• Know the symptoms of heat illness and what actions to take.

Share Materials with Workers

Provide your workers with information so they understand the risks of heat exposure and what actions to take. Keep materials easily accessible in the workplace.