Heat Stress - Environmental Health and Safety (2024)

FAQs

What are the 5 stages of heat stress? ›

Heat emergencies have three stages: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. All three stages of heat emergency are serious. If you live in hot climates or play sports in the summertime, you should know how to spot the symptoms of heat emergency.

Heat stress includes a series of conditions where the body is under stress from overheating. Heat-related illnesses include heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat rash, or heat stroke, each with its own symptoms and treatments. Symptoms can range from profuse sweating to dizziness, cessation of sweating, and collapse.

California. California's Heat Illness Prevention Standard requires employers to provide training, water, shade, and planning. A temperature of 80°F triggers the requirements.

Factors that contribute to heat stress are high air temperatures, radiant heat sources, high humidity, direct physical contact with hot objects, and strenuous physical activities. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed a Heat Stress National Emphasis Program (NEP).

In extremely hot conditions, the following thermally conditioned clothing might be used: Vest that receives cooled air from a vortex tube connected to an external compressed air source. Jackets or vests with reusable ice packs or phase change cooling packs in the pockets.

While there are no specific federal regulations about working in extreme cold or heat, you do have a right to a workplace “free from recognized hazards .” That includes exposure to extreme cold and heat. Some states do have more rigorous rules regarding heat, and you can find the state plans here .

How hot is too hot indoors? ›

Be careful not to decrease your home's temperature to less than 55 degrees in winter or allow your home to warm to more than 80 degrees in summer, as it may leave your home susceptible to damage. An indoor temperature of less than 55 degrees may lead to freezing pipes, while anything more than 80 may damage drywall.

✓ Slow down: Reduce, eliminate or reschedule strenuous activities until the coolest time of the day. Children, seniors and anyone with health concerns should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors. ✓ Dress for summer: Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing to reflect heat.

Remember: Water, Rest, Shade. Designate a shady or cool area for breaks and provide cool drinking water. Portable tents and shelters can be a solution for areas without natural shade. Ensure drinking water is available and accessible and encourage workers to drink 1 liter per hour (about 1 cup every 15 to 20 minutes).

High blood pressure. Heart disease. Lower level of physical fitness. Use of certain medications such as diuretics (water pills) and some psychiatric or blood pressure medicines.

Hot weather and heat within the body during physical work can kill. Heat-related Illness (HRI) ranges from relatively mild conditions such as heat cramps to more serious illnesses such as heat exhaustion. The most serious form of HRI is heat stroke, which can cause death.

Heat-related illnesses include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion involve an abnormally high body temperature (hyperthermia) and need immediate treatment. You can lower your risk of heat illness by staying hydrated and limiting physical activity in hot weather.