Heat Illness Prevention
Employer's Responsibility
Under the OSH Act, employers are responsible for providing workplaces free of known safety and health hazards. This includes protecting workers from heat-related hazards.
Create a Heat Illness Prevention Plan
An employer with workers exposed to high temperature should develop a heat illness prevention program.
Engineering Controls, Work Practices and PPE
Provide Training for Workers
Employers should provide training to workers, including supervisors, so they understand heat exposure risks, prevention actions, and first aid.
Heat Illness: Prevent Heat Illness at Work Poster (PDF) • Español (PDF)
Heat Illness Signs and Symptoms Infographic English (ZIP) • Español (ZIP)
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.
Heat Related Illness and First Aid
Heat exposure can be dangerous. Signs of a medical emergency: Abnormal thinking or behavior, Slurred speech, Seizures, Loss of consciousness. Take these actions: 1. Call 911 immediately. 2. Cool the worker right away with water or ice. 3. Stay with the worker until help arrives.
Heat Illness Medical Emergency Infographic (ZIP) • Español (ZIP)
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.
Protecting Workers from the Effects of Heat QuickCard (PDF) • Español (PDF) • Tiếng Việt (PDF)
Prevent Heat Illness at Work: OSHA Alert (PDF) • Español (PDF)