Workers in environments without proper climate control—whether outdoors or indoors—are at risk of hazardous heat exposure. Heat-producing processes, machinery, and equipment, such as hot tar ovens and furnaces, can create dangerous conditions if adequate cooling measures are not in place.
Heat is the leading cause of fatalities among hazardous weather conditions in the United States. Excessive heat exposure at work can result in serious health issues, including heat stroke and death, if not properly managed. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, between 2011 and 2022, 479 workers died due to environmental heat exposure—averaging 40 fatalities per year. Additionally, from 2011 to 2020, there were an estimated 33,890 work-related heat injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work, averaging 3,389 cases per year. These figures likely underestimate the true impact of occupational heat hazards.
This course provides general guidance on:
- Understanding heat-related illnesses
- Preventive measures
- Heat Stress Management Programs (HSMP)
- Control strategies and protective measures
- Emergency response and planning
- Training and communication
- Employee rights and protections
Course Objectives
At the end of this course, you should be able to:
| ID | Objective |
|---|---|
| TO 1.0 | Achieve a minimum score of 70% on the final course assessment. |
| LO 1.1.1 | Explain how following ANSI A10.50-2024 helps protect workers from heat-related illnesses. |
| LO 1.2.1 | Describe types of heat-related illnesses, their symptoms, and risk factors, including environmental, workplace, and personal factors. |
| LO 1.3.1 | Explain the importance of rest breaks, hydration, and removing PPE to prevent heat-related illnesses. |
| LO 1.4.1 | Summarize the requirements of a Heat Stress Management Program (HSMP) and the importance of site-specific procedures. |
| LO 1.5.1 | Describe control strategies and protective measures, including ventilation, cooling PPE, and heat shielding, to reduce heat-related illness risk. |
| LO 1.6.1 | Summarize emergency procedures for responding to heat-related illnesses, including steps to safely lower body temperature. |
| LO 1.7.1 | Explain the importance of initial and refresher training on heat safety and effective communication practices for maintaining a safe workplace. |
| LO 1.8.1 | Identify employee rights to protection from heat stress and protections against retaliation for reporting heat-related concerns. |
Key: Terminal Objective (TO), Learning Objective (LO)