From the construction crews building homes to the utility workers maintaining our power grids, countless essential workers perform their duties under the blazing sun. Park rangers protect our natural spaces, first responders answer emergency calls, and agricultural workers harvest the food we eat—all while facing the unavoidable risks that come with working in extreme heat.
Heat-related illnesses affect thousands of workers each year, with symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to life-threatening conditions. Understanding how to recognize, treat, and prevent these conditions isn't just important—it's essential for saving lives and maintaining productive workforces.
Work-Fit’s teams of industrial athletic trainers work to protect workers from injuries of all kinds, including heat illness, with solutions targeted to your employees’ needs.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion occurs when the body loses excessive amounts of water and salt through sweating. Workers wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) face elevated risks, as heavy and necessary gear restricts airflow and traps body heat.
The most common symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
- Heavy sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Weakness or fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle cramps
- Cool, moist skin despite high temperatures
- Fast, weak pulse
- Confusion, irritability, or anxiety
Workers in hazmat suits, firefighters in full gear, and even construction workers wearing hard hats and long sleeves are particularly vulnerable to the effects of the heat and humidity.
Other workers may be at higher risk based on their individual health, including those who are new to working in heat, returning from time off, or taking medications that affect the body's ability to regulate temperature.
Monitoring workers for signs of heat exhaustion is critical to keeping them healthy, safe, and productive.
Early warning signs of heat stroke
Heat stroke is a dangerous escalation of heat exhaustion. When the body's cooling system fails completely, a person’s core temperature rises rapidly, potentially causing permanent disability or death within minutes.
Unlike heat exhaustion, heat stroke requires immediate emergency medical attention. Watch for these critical signs of heat stroke:
- High body temperature (above 103°F)
- Hot, dry skin (often with an absence of sweating)
- Rapid, strong pulse that may become weak
- Severe confusion, altered mental state, or unconsciousness
- Seizures
- Nausea and vomiting
The key difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke lies in mental function. If you're asking "do I have heat stroke?" and can think clearly enough to ask the question, you more likely have heat exhaustion. Heat stroke victims often cannot think rationally or may lose consciousness entirely.
Another specific difference is that a person will experience excessive sweating during heat exhaustion but no sweating in heat stroke.
Regardless, heat exhaustion can rapidly progress to heat stroke, so it must be addressed immediately and with care.
How to treat someone with heat exhaustion
Quick action can prevent heat exhaustion from progressing to heat stroke. Follow these steps when treating heat exhaustion:
Immediate response:
- Move the person to a cool, shaded area or air-conditioned space
- Remove excess clothing and PPE if safe to do so
- Have the person lie down with legs elevated
- Apply cool water to the skin and fan the person to increase evaporation
Cooling methods:
- Place cold, wet cloths on the neck, armpits, and groin
- Use ice packs wrapped in towels (never apply ice directly to skin)
- If able, take a cool shower
- Encourage small sips of cool water if the person is conscious and not vomiting
- Sports drinks can help replace electrolytes, but avoid beverages with caffeine or alcohol
Monitor progress:
- Stay with the person and monitor their condition
- If symptoms worsen or don't improve within 30 minutes, call for emergency medical help
- Watch for signs of heat stroke, which require immediate emergency response
Never leave someone with heat exhaustion alone, and don't hesitate to call for medical assistance if you're unsure about their condition.
Heat safety protocols and preventive care
Preventing heat illness through work policies and job site awareness remains the most effective strategy for protecting workers from heat-related illness. A comprehensive heat safety program should include:
Environmental monitoring:
- Use heat stress monitors to track temperature and humidity levels
- Implement work/rest cycles for teams based on heat index readings
- Schedule the most strenuous work during cooler parts of the day
Hydration protocols:
- Provide easy access to cool, potable water
- Encourage workers to drink small amounts frequently rather than waiting until they feel thirsty
- Have workers monitor or self-report urine color as an indicator of hydration status
Acclimatization programs:
- Gradually increase workload and heat exposure for new workers over 7-14 days
- Provide additional monitoring for workers returning from vacation or sick leave
- Promote awareness that improved fitness level doesn't prevent heat illness
Personalized, on-site injury and incident prevention
While these general ideas can be helpful for brainstorming a basic heat injury prevention program, they fail to address the particular demands and environments that your employees encounter on the job.
That’s where Work-Fit comes in. Our teams of certified athletic trainers are well-versed with the demands of physical labor across industries and work environments. We’ll support your team with physical conditioning, education and training on policies, and can even support your workers individually to help them stay aware and safe during extreme weather.
Learn more about how our team integrates and amplifies your injury prevention programs by reaching out to Work-Fit today.
