Good morning,

Employees face serious health risks when working in hot weather. High temperatures, direct sunlight and physical labor can quickly lead to heat-related illnesses including heat exhaustion and heat stroke. To prevent these potentially life-threatening conditions, it’s important to follow these simple principles of heat safety: Water, Rest, Shade, and Training.

1. Water – Stay Hydrated

• Drink water every 15 to 20 minutes, even if you’re not thirsty.
• Avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol, or high sugar, which can dehydrate you.
• Keep clean, cool water easily accessible at all times on the job site.

2. Rest – Take Frequent Breaks

• Regular rest periods allow the body to cool down.
• Rest breaks should increase as the heat and humidity rise.
• Rotate workers in and out of hot areas when possible, especially during peak afternoon heat.

3. Shade – Cool Down Safely

• Provide shaded or air-conditioned rest areas close to the work zone.
• Use tents, umbrellas, or buildings to create shaded spaces.
• Encourage workers to cool off in the shade during breaks or at the first sign of heat discomfort.

4. Training – Know the Signs and What to Do

Workers and supervisors must be trained to recognize early symptoms of heat illness, such as:

• Weakness or dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Headache
• Confusion
• High body temperature (above 103°F)
• Heavy Sweating

Training should cover how to respond to symptoms, including calling for medical help and using cooling methods like cold packs, fans, or immersion in cool water.

If a worker is displaying any of these symptoms, it is crucial to get them to a shaded area and have them attended by another worker since their bodies will be unable to regulate temperature properly. Heat illness can quickly turn into heat stroke and they worker will not be able to call for assistance if they take a turn for the worst.

Why It Matters

Heat illness can develop quickly and become fatal without warning. Every year, construction workers are hospitalized—or worse—because of inadequate preparation for extreme heat. If a worker is displaying any of these symptoms, it is crucial to get them to a shaded area and have them attended by another worker since their bodies will be unable to regulate temperature properly. The worker will not be able to call for assistance if they suffer from a heat stroke.

Here are some great resources that most of this information is sourced from:

OSHA - Water. Rest. Shade. Campaign

CDC NIOSH - Workplace Safety & Health Topics: Heat Stress

OSHA Fact Sheet - Protecting Workers from the Effects of Heat

NIOSH - Symptoms and First Aid for Heat Illnesses

OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Campaign

CDC Heat Stress Resources

NIOSH Heat Safety Tool App (iOS/Android)

There are several tool box talks on this topic in the Safety Meeting app and eSafetyline website that are included in your NYECA membership.

We encourage anyone interested in participating in the NYECA Safety Committee to reach out to evangelista@nyeca.org.

The next meeting will be taking place via Zoom on Tuesday August 26 at 3:00pm.

If you have any question, you may reach out to the Association Office.

Thank You