Main Content
Risk Factors
Direct exposure to sun
Higher humidity in the fields
Using heavy work clothes & equipment
Signs & Symptoms
HEAT EXHAUSTION
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Irritability
- Thirst
- Heavy sweating
- Elevated body temperature
- Decreased urine output
HEATSTROKE
- High body temperature
- Hot, red, dry or damp skin
- Fast, strong pulse
- Throbbing headache
- Dizziness/Nausea
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Unconsciousness
WHAT TO DO
HEAT EXHAUSTION
Move to a cool place
Loosen clothes
Put cool, wet cloths on or take cool bath
Sip water
If throwing up, symptoms worsen or last longer than an hour, get medical help!
HEAT STROKE
Call 911 right away!
Move person to a cooler place
Help lower body temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath
Do not give person anything to drink
PROTECT YOURSELF
- Drink water frequently. Don’t wait to be thirsty. Avoid energy drinks and alcohol.
- Wear a hat and light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing such as cotton.
- Use umbrellas, pop-up tents, and trees for shade.
- Ease into work as temperatures increase.
- Take breaks in the shade or in cool areas. Take more breaks during heavy work and in high heat and humidity.
- Schedule heavier work during the cooler parts of the day, if possible.
YOUR RIGHTS TO A SAFE WORKENVIRONMENT
Employers are responsible for protecting workers from heat illness and are required to:
- Provide water, rest, and shade to workers.
- Allow new or returning workers to gradually increase workload and take more breaks during the first week to adjust to working in the heat.
- Plan for emergencies and train workers on prevention.
- Monitor workers for signs of illness.
OSHA National Emphasis Program on Heat: osha.gov I sites/ default/files/publications/OSHA HA-4279.pdf
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES - CDC Warning Signs and Symptoms of Heat-Related Illness:
cdc.govI disasters/ extremeheat/ warning. html#text - NIOSH Heat Stress Alerts:
cdc.gov /niosh/docs/2010-114/pdfs/2010-114.pdf - OSHA Prevent Heat Illness at Work:
osha.govI sitesI default/files/publications/ 3431 wksiteposter en.pdf - CDC/NIOSH Workplace Safety & Health Topics – Heat Stress:
cdc.govI niosh/topics/heatstress/ default.html - CDC Protecting Vulnerable Groups from Extreme Heat:
cdc.gov I disasters/ extremeheat/ workers. html