Working In Extreme Heat

To work in high heat:

•  Wear lightweight clothing and a wide-brimmed hat.

•  Heavy clothing and some personal protective equipment can greatly increase the amount of heat 

stress on the body. Make the necessary adjustments to compensate for this.

•  Work in the shade whenever possible and take breaks more frequently.

•  Rotate indoor and outdoor work activities to allow time to recover with work in a cooler 

environment.

•  Long sleeves and pants will help protect you from sunburn.

•  Drink more fluids. Don’t wait until you are thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine. 

Reduce the pace of work, get help or use a mechanical aid to do strenuous jobs.

•  If you are on medication, have pre-existing medical conditions, are pregnant or of senior years, 

then you may be more susceptible to heat stress and should consult with your physician.

Symptoms of heat stress include:

Complaints of sudden and severe fatigue, nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting and may or  may not include sweating. 

You—or a co-worker—may also appear disoriented, confused, irritable, or have flu-like symptoms.  

Never ignore symptoms.

CAUTION

Victims of hot temperature exposure such as heat stroke are unable to notice the symptoms in themselves therefore it is very important for coworkers to recognize the symptoms and seek help. 

Heat stroke, if left untreated without medical attention, can cause death. In case of heat stroke or heat exhaustion, call 911 or your local emergency services or get the 

victim to a medical care facility as soon as possible, then tell me / your supervisor.