Key Take Away: Heat illnesses are brain injuries— and often times go unidentified by worker! Heat-related illnesses can happen if workplace activities in a hot environment overwhelm the body’s ability to cool itself. This becomes more likely if any of the risk factors below, are present.
The following are environmental risk factors for heat illness:
Air temperature above 90 degrees F (32.2 degrees C)
Relative humidity above 40 percent or below 10 percent
Radiant heat from the sun and other sources
Conductive heat sources, such as dark-colored work surfaces and clothing
Lack of air movement
Physical effort/exertion needed for the work
Use of nonbreathable protective clothing and other personal protective equipment
The following are personal risk factors for heat illness:
Lack of acclimation to warmer temperatures
Poor general health
Dehydration
Alcohol consumption
Caffeine & energy drink consumption
Nicotine consumption
Previous heat-related illness
Use of prescription and non-prescription medications
Employees are responsible for knowing and educating themselves about their own personal risk factors that may increase their chance for suffering a heat-related illnesses.
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