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Protecting Workers from Heat-Related Illnesses

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Contributor: Ariana Hanaity, Communications Coordinator, VPPPA

The United States has experienced record-breaking summer heat in recent years, leaving millions of workers exposed to these environmental extremes particularly vulnerable to illness. Between 1992 and 2017, data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that heat stress killed 815 U.S. workers and seriously injured over 70,000. Despite these staggering figures, only four states currently have outdoor workplace heat standards: California, Colorado (for agricultural workers only), Oregon, and Washington.

Promising change, however, is on the horizon for approximately 32 million individuals who work outdoors. New outreach and enforcement initiatives, including a federal heat protection standard, from OSHA to eliminate the incidence of worker exposures to occupational heat-related morbidity and mortality are quickly gaining attention and support from industries across the country—and it couldn’t have come at a better time. The reason? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has predicted a hotter-than-usual forecast for nearly the entire contiguous U.S.

Summer might not officially begin until June 21 with the summer solstice, but historic high temperatures have already begun taking a toll on workers from coast to coast. It’s important to remember that heat-related illnesses are preventable but, when left unchecked, can lead to dire outcomes. Ultimately, prevention requires both employers and workers to recognize and respond to heat hazards.

Al Minyā Symptoms of Heat-Related Illnesses

As the weather begins to warm, it is vital that employers and workers become familiar with heat symptoms. There are several heat-related illnesses that can affect workers, therefore it is essential to train workers accordingly on what symptoms to be on the lookout for. It’s important to note that not only can heat illness strike quickly but also symptoms can occur in any order. Below is a breakdown of heat illnesses, from most to least severe, and their corresponding signs and symptoms retrieved from the NIOSH’s Heat Stress page.

Cintalapa de Figueroa Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. When it occurs, the body temperature can rise to 106°F or higher within minutes. Heat stroke can cause permanent disability or death if the person does not receive emergency treatment.

Symptoms include:

  • Confusion, altered mental status, slurred speech
  • Loss of consciousness (coma)
  • Hot, dry skin or heavy sweating
  • Seizures
  • Very high body temperature
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Fatal if treatment delayed

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually through excessive sweating. Heat exhaustion is most likely to affect older individuals, those who have high blood pressure, or those working in a hot environment.

Symptoms include:

  • Headache
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Weakness
  • Irritability
  • Thirst
  • Heavy sweating
  • Elevated body temperature
  • Decreased urine output

Heat Syncope

Symptoms include:

  • Fainting (short-duration)
  • Dizziness
  • Light-headedness from standing too long or suddenly rising from a sitting or lying position

Heat Cramps

Symptoms include:

  • Muscle cramps, pain, or spasms in the abdomen, arms, or legs

Heat Rash

Symptoms include:

  • Red clusters of pimples and/or small blisters
  • Clusters often appear on areas including the neck, upper chest, groin, under the breasts, and in elbow creases

Heat Safety Resources for Employers and Workers

OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool is a free, downloadable app that calculates a worksite’s heat index and displays the associated risk levels. Users can receive precautionary recommendations for heat index risk levels to help protect employees from heat-related illness. The tool is available in English and Spanish.

OSHA’s Occupational Heat Exposure page explains the symptoms of heat illness, first aid measures to provide while waiting for help, engineering controls and work practices to reduce workers’ exposure to heat, and training.

Protecting Workers from the Effects of Heat QuickCard, and similar print materials, can be provided to your workers so they can understand the risks of heat exposure and what actions to take. Keep these materials in a visible area that is easily accessible in the workplace.

Jacqueline "Jackie" Annis is an industrial hygienist with the Office of Partnerships and Recognition, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs in OSHA’s National Office.  Jackie’s primary responsibilities include developing and overseeing internal policies and procedures for the VPP, reviewing VPP on-site evaluation reports for process safety management information, serving as the National Office liaison for two of OSHA’s ten Regions, and facilitating the management of OSHA’s National Strategic Partnership Program.  She is an integral part of OSHA’s National Office team. 

She has served with the Agency for 36 years, including five years as a senior industrial hygienist in OSHA’s Office of Health Enforcement, Directorate of Enforcement Programs in the National Office and 17 years as a compliance safety and health officer in the Denver, CO Area Office.  Prior to her tenure at OSHA, Jackie worked as an industrial hygienist for the Department of the Navy in Alameda, California.  Jackie obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA in 1983.

Wayne Howard earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from UC Davis and has spent 12 years with Shell (at Martinez) refinery, 3 years with the consulting firm Process Safety, 15 years with Valero (at Benicia), and the last 10 years in the Corporate Process Safety Department. He is the Valero representative to AFPM's Advancing Process Safety Initiative.

Nathan Obaugh, PE is a senior engineer in the Safety and Operational Excellence Group at NuStar Energy. Nathan has over 10 years of PSM and process design experience in the petrochemical, refining and midstream industries. At NuStar, Nathan oversees all elements of the corporate PSM program and works directly on hazard analysis, process safety studies, PSM/RMP audits and provides process engineering support to the operations and capital projects groups.

Jared Teter, PhD is a senior staff scientist with a background in physics and hazards analysis. He has extensive experience in subscale testing of energetic materials and has served as program manager for several large testing and risk management projects. He has applied engineering and risk management protocols while evaluating the risk associated with propellant and explosives manufacturing, combustible dust, and other hazardous material related processes.

Tim Belitz has a degree in Environmental Health/Industrial Hygiene from Old Dominion University and a Master’s from Duke University. He has over 25 years of Industrial Health Safety and Environmental Experience and is a Certified Safety Professional. He has many years focused on Contractor Management and Process Safety programs.

Rob Walker graduated from Virginia Tech in Microbiology and Chemical Engineering. Rob has almost 35 years of experience working in the chemical plant and refining industry. His passion for Process Safety and Mechanical Integrity began very early in his career. Rob began with his current company, Honeywell, back in 2011.

Prasad Joshi has B.S. and M.S. Degrees in Chemical Engineering from two universities in India. Prasad has over 30 years’ experience in the business. He began with Honeywell in May 2022 as Principal Maintenance Engineer. He has worked internationally in Asia and Europe.