Every year, thousands of workers become sick from exposure to heat, and some even die. Heat illnesses and deaths are preventable.
Whether you are working outdoors or just enjoying the sun, always pay attening to the "Humidex", a calculation of the daily maximum outdoor temperature and the relative humidity. A day with a high of 86 degrees and 50% humidity equates to a humidex of 97 degrees. Locally in Washington State we see hospitalizations and deaths increase when the humidex exceeds 97. You can calculate the humidex for today by clicking HERE and entering the high temperature and humidity for the day. Remember: if the humidex is 97 or above limit your outdoor activities, and plenty of water, rest and shade to minimize your risk for heat related illness or death.
OSHA's Campaign to Prevent Heat Illness in Outdoor Workers
Be prepared for working safely in the heat with these OSHA resources:
Illustrated, Low Literacy Fact Sheets
Construction and Agriculture in English and Spanish
Oil & Gas and Construction in English and Spanish
Worksite Training Poster
Educational poster to be used for training on heat illness symptoms and prevention
Available in English and Spanish
Community Poster
Awareness poster with heat illness prevention messages and OSHA contact information.
Available in English and Spanish
OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Training Guide
Guide to carry out heat illness prevention training with lesson plans (trailor and toolbox talk)
Available in English and Spanish
Using the Heat Index: A Guide for Employers
Guide to planning for heat at the workplace and taking precautions based on heat index.
Available in English and Spanish
Heat Stress Quick Card
Small double-sided card to learn what precations to take
Available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese
Outreach Wallet Card
Two-sided business card with message on one side and heat illness symptoms on the other. QR Code links to OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Website to access more materials.
Available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese
OSHA's Heat Smartphone App
App calculates heat index for current location and provides guidance on preventing heat illness
Download here
For more resources from OSHA visit the campaign website
Additional Heat Safety Resources
The Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety and Health (PNASH) Center at the University of Washington provides a heat illness training video in Spanish (English subtitles). This video is designed for agricultural workers, but safety tips can be applied to all outdoor workers working in the heat. Use the playlist drop-down menu to view all chapters of the safety video. The PNASH Center's website is also a great source of information on heat stress and heat illness prevention. Individuals can request a DVD of this safety video via the PNASH center website.
UW Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences article: Humidex ID's which hot days pose most peril in King County