Tips to preventing Heat Illness at Work

With temperatures rising, so does the risk of heat illness. In 2019, exposure to heat led to 43 work-related deaths and 2,410 injuries and illnesses, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends that workers should drink one cup of water every 20 minutes while working in the heat to stay hydrated. When the temperature is high, employers should make sure workers take frequent rest breaks in shaded, cool, or air-conditioned areas to recover from the heat.  Though heat stress is typically related to outdoor work environments, and construction workers account for about one-third of heat-related deaths, workers in hot indoor environments like kitchens, laundries, warehouses, and electrical utilities are also at risk.  Employers should consider reducing physical activity as much as possible by planning for the work ahead and rotating job functions among workers to help minimize exertion.