Weather
Heat illness
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke from hard work in hot conditions. Workers who are new or returning are at the highest risk in their first days on the job. Some states, including California, have their own heat illness rules.
Where it shows up
- Roofing and paving in summer
- Work inside enclosed buildings without ventilation
- Wearing coveralls or respirators in heat
Controls, most effective first
Work down the list. Rely on PPE only for the risk the controls above it cannot remove.
| Level | Control |
|---|---|
| Engineering | Shade or cooled rest areas |
| Fans and ventilation in enclosed work areas | |
| Administrative | Cool drinking water close to the work |
| Scheduled rest breaks that get longer as heat rises | |
| Build up heat exposure gradually for new and returning workers | |
| Schedule the heaviest work for the cooler part of the day | |
| Buddy system to watch for symptoms | |
| Emergency plan: heat stroke is a 911 call, and cooling starts right away | |
| PPE | Light-colored, breathable clothing |
| Cooling vests where practical |
PPE to list on the JHA
Hard hat1926.100
OSHA standards
| Citation | Title |
|---|---|
| OSHA | Heat (OSHA safety and health topic) |
Federal OSHA construction standards. State plans can be stricter, and owners or contracts can add requirements. This page is general information. Check the full standard for your work.