Protect workers from heat: Know the dangers, act early
By Rebecca Honaker
University of Kentucky
Heat is a serious workplace hazard that can cause illness—or even death—if proper precautions aren’t taken. While outdoor workers face the greatest risk during high temperatures, indoor workers can also be affected, especially those working near heat sources or in poorly ventilated or non-air-conditioned spaces.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency reported that 986 U.S. workers across all industries died from exposure to heat from 1992 to 2022. Thirty-four percent of those fatalities were in the construction industry. In Kentucky, 467 workers visited the emergency department due to heat-related illnesses from 2019 to 2023, according to the Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health Surveillance Program (KOSHS).
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, three out of four heat-related deaths occur during a worker’s first week on the job. Employers should create and follow a plan to allow new and returning workers to acclimate to working in the heat. This should include shorter work periods with more frequent breaks, monitoring new workers for symptoms and not allowing new workers to work alone. These increased precautions should last at least one to two weeks.
Employers should also take the following steps to protect workers who are working in hot environments:
- Modify work schedules with mandatory increased breaks in cooler areas, scheduling work at a cooler time of day and rotating job functions to help minimize exertion or heat exposure.
- Provide cool water for workers to drink and remind workers to drink regularly, not just when thirsty. For longer jobs that exceed two hours, employers should provide electrolyte-containing beverages.
- When possible, use methods to make the environment cooler with air conditioning, misting fans, increased ventilation, reflective shields, etc. Reduce manual workload with mechanization where possible.
- Ensure workers are wearing light colored, loose-fitting clothing that doesn’t trap heat or moisture. Some types of personal protective equipment can increase the risk of heat-related illness.
Employers should also train all supervisors and workers on how to identify and control heat hazards, recognize signs and symptoms, administer first aid and to be ready to engage emergency medical services quickly.
Common signs of heat exhaustion can include:
- Headache, nausea, dizziness
- Weakness, irritability
- Thirst, decreased urine
- Heavy sweating
- Elevated body temperature
If an employee experiences these symptoms, action should be taken to cool them down. This can include moving them to a cooler area, removing unnecessary clothing, providing cool water and cooling them with water, ice or a fan. They should not be left alone and should be monitored.
Heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke if not treated promptly. Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency, and if any of the following symptoms are observed, 911 should be called immediately:
- Slurred speech, confusion
- Loss of consciousness
- Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating
- Very high body temperature
- Seizures
The OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool is a free app that employers can download to monitor heat hazards in real-time. The app uses heat index data and hourly forecasts from the National Weather Service to assign risk levels specific to your geographic location. Precautionary recommendations are provided based on the heat index risk level. The app also allows quick access to symptoms of heat illness and tips for first aid. (NIOSH stands for National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.)
This week’s column is by Rebecca Honaker, program director for the Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health Surveillance Program at the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center, based at the University of Kentucky College of Public Health.