Beat the Heat: Protecting Your Employees from Hot Weather

As the temperatures rise outside during summer months, so do the risks that your employees may be harmed by the dangerous effects of heat. As a business owner, it’s your responsibility to help monitor and minimize the risk of heat stress for your workers. 

Consider the Heat Index and Temperature

The heat index combines air temperature and humidity to determine how hot it feels outside:

• 80-90°F: Caution needed for prolonged moderate work outdoors.
• 91-103°F: Use extreme caution, reduce outdoor work, take extra breaks, and monitor workers closely.
• 103-124°F: Danger for prolonged exposure. Halt outdoor work (except emergencies) to prevent heat illness.
• 126°F or higher: Extreme danger, avoid outdoor work. High humidity above 60% affects sweat evaporation, impacting the body's cooling ability1.

Keeping Your Employees Safe

Business owners should consider monitoring daily heat index readings and adjusting work schedules and demands accordingly to prevent heat illness. Risk management tactics may help, including:

• Additional Workers: Bringing on extra workers for labor-intensive projects to allow for more frequent breaks. 
• Preventative Measures: Offering regular rest breaks, shade, water, and adjusted schedules to minimize heat-related risks.
• Acclimatization: Allowing new and returning workers to gradually increase exposure time for working in the heat.
• Appropriate Attire: Providing lightweight, breathable clothing or Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for comfort and safety.
• Adjusting Workloads: Considering rescheduling highly labor-intensive tasks to cooler parts of the day if possible.
• Heat Illness Recognition: Educating workers on symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke: headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, excessive sweating, elevated body temperature, and red/hot/dry skin. 
• Medical Attention: Encouraging workers experiencing symptoms to stop work and seek medical help immediately1.

Reach out to your local Federated^® marketing representative to learn more about working in heat and other risk management topics.

1. https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA4185.pdf. OSHA. Exposure to Outdoor and Heat-Related Hazards. Accessed 

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This article is for general information and risk prevention only and should not be considered legal or other expert advice. The recommendations herein may help reduce, but are not guaranteed to eliminate, any or all risk of loss. Examples shown are for illustrative purposes only. The information herein may be subject to, and is not a substitute for, any laws or regulations that may apply. Qualified counsel should be sought with questions specific to your circumstances. ©2024 Federated Mutual Insurance Company.