Working in Hot Weather

Construction workers, who often work outdoors in direct sunlight or in hot, enclosed spaces, are often at risk for heat-related illnesses and, in severe cases, death. However, these illnesses and deaths are preventable. In 2016 alone, 11 construction workers died from heat stroke and many more became ill from heat-related causes on the job. The following resources contain information about heat hazards in construction, and ways to prevent related illnesses.

CPWR

CPWR resources and solutions include: 

• Hot Weather Toolbox Talk. Also available in Spanish.
• Hot Weather Hazard Alert. Also available in Spanish.
• Skin Cancer Toolbox Talk. Also available in Spanish.
• Skin Cancer Hazard Alert. Also available in Spanish.
• Lightning Toolbox Talk. Also available in Spanish.
• Lightning Hazard Alert. Also available in Spanish.
• Heat Hazard & Solutions
• Protect Yourself Against Heat Exposure New. Product from the OSHA-CPWR Alliance
• Protect Yourself from Lightning Infographic New. 

OSHA

OSHA’s Campaign to Prevent Heat Illness and Occupational Heat Exposure web pages provide a host of resources for employers and workers, including:

• Water, Rest, Shade Fact Sheet. Also available in Spanish
• Water, Rest, Shade Wallet Card. Also available in Spanish
• Heat Illness Training Poster Also available in Spanish
• The OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Training Guide. Also available in Spanish
• The OSHA Heat Safety Tool Smartphone App (updated)

NIOSH

The NIOSH Heat Stress page offers additional tools and publications addressing heat stress, including:

• Protecting Yourself from Heat Stress card
• Protect Your Workers from Heat Stress infographic
• Protect Yourself from Heat Stress podcast (4 min.)
• Heat-Related Illness Poster
• Evaluation of Occupational Exposure Limits for Heat Stress in Outdoor Workers — United States, 2011–2016 MMWR Report