First Aid and Emergency Action Plan
Employees showing signs or symptoms of heat-related illness must be closely monitored and never left alone or sent home without receiving on-site first aid or emergency medical attention. Monitoring should include checking the employee’s heart rate. Avoid measuring temperature under the tongue, as this can interfere with hydration and may give inaccurate results if the employee drinks cold fluids.
Severe Heat Illness
If an employee exhibits severe symptoms—such as confusion, disorientation, staggering, vomiting, convulsions, or loss of consciousness—the employer must immediately activate emergency response procedures.
Recovery Actions
For employees showing signs of severe heat illness, immediate recovery measures should be taken in a shaded or designated recovery area:
- Supervisors should closely monitor the worker and check for symptoms.
- The worker should remain in the shade and drink fluids provided by the employer to rehydrate.
- To accelerate cooling, use methods such as:
- Applying cool, wet cloths or sponging the skin, or using fans.
- Taking a cool bath or shower if feasible.
- Placing ice packs wrapped in cloth on areas like the armpits, neck, groin, and behind the knees.
- Loosening or removing heavy or tight clothing to improve airflow.
- Ensuring good air circulation around the worker.
- The employee must not return to work until all symptoms have subsided and should rest in the shade for at least 15 minutes.