Hot temperatures can be dangerous if you’re not used to being in the heat. Build a tolerance and acclimate for the first 14 days for new and returning employees. Take frequent breaks in shady or cool areas.

Here are some tips to keep cool:

• Drink plenty of water, one cup every 20 minutes.
• Have shade or cool area access within two minutes walking distance.
• Wear loose-fitting and breathable clothing and a hat.
• Look out for others for signs of heat illness.
• Change face covering if it gets wet and verbally check on others often.
• Take enough time during your break to recover from the heat.

Recognize the signs of heat illness:

• Muscle cramps.
• Heavy sweating.
• Dizziness/fatigue.
• Cool moist skin.
• Rapid Pulse.

If you see these signs in yourself or in others, take time to break, hydrate and cool down.

Recognize the signs of heat stroke:

• Throbbing headache.
• Red, hot and dry skin.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Confusion.
• Very high body temperature.
• Lack of sweat.
• Unconsciousness.
• Nausea/vomiting.
• Seizures.

If you or someone else is suffering from heat stroke, call 911 before initiating cooling mitigation:

• Move to cool shade.
• Watch breathing and check pulse regularly.
• Quickly cool body down by placing cold packs or wet clothes in armpits, back of neck and wrists/ankles.
• Soak clothes and fan body.

Additional information and resources can be found here.