Heat Illness Prevention

Heat Illness is a serious medical condition resulting from the body’s inability to cope with a particular heat load and may include heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat syncope, and heat stroke. This greatly impacts employees that work outdoors or in other spaces where environmental risk factors for heat illness are present.

To protect employees, employers are required by Cal/OSHA T8 CCR §3395 to develop and implement a Heat Illness Prevention Program (PDF).


Heat Illness Prevention Graphic - Water. Rest. Shade.Managers and supervisors must:

  • Make drinking water available and plentiful.
  • Make shaded areas available when requested by the employee. NOTE: Shading is required at 80 degrees or more.
  • Monitor the weather (current and forecast) and adjust workloads accordingly. You are required to implement high-heat procedures when temperatures equal or exceed 95 degrees.
  • Be vigilant for signs of heat illness and respond quickly.
  • Have an emergency plan ready.
  • Ensure that all employees are trained on heat illness prevention.

Employees must:

  • Stay hydrated; drink water frequently.
  • Use shaded areas; take frequent breaks. Notify supervisor if shading is unavailable.
  • Report heat illness symptoms to the supervisor.
  • Report heat illness symptoms of coworkers to the supervisor.
  • Comply with all provisions of the Heat Illness Prevention Program (PDF).

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