Beat the Heat – Staying Safe on the Job this Summer

Exposure to harmful environments, including extreme heat and overexertion are two of the leading causes of work-related injuries in the U.S. As a leader at your organization, you’re in a key position to help prevent heat-related illness and ensure every member of your team stays safe, especially during the summer months.

Know the Risks

Heat-related illnesses can escalate quickly, and they pose serious health threats, particularly for team members working outdoors or in poorly ventilated areas. Conditions include:

  • Heat cramps (muscle pain/spasms from sweating)
  • Heat exhaustion (dizziness, nausea, weakness, heavy sweating)
  • Heat stroke (a medical emergency—hot, dry skin, confusion, fainting)

How to Stay Safe

1. Monitor Conditions and Adjust Workload

  • Schedule physically demanding tasks for early mornings or cooler parts of the day.
  • Rotate workers out of hot areas when possible.
  • Ensure fans or ventilation are used in warm indoor spaces.

2. Promote Hydration and Breaks

  • Encourage regular water intake, even before workers feel thirsty.
  • Remind your team to take breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.

3. Recognize Warning Signs

  • Watch for symptoms of heat stress on your team: confusion, fatigue, nausea, heavy sweating or flushed skin.
  • Train your team to look out for each other and report concerns immediately.

Read More: Building a Safer Workplace: Why Listening to Your Team Matters

4. Encourage Smart PPE and Clothing

  • Consider lighter options where appropriate.
  • Recommend breathable, light-colored clothing for those working in the sun.

5. Set the Tone

  • Talk openly about heat risks at morning huddles.
  • Reinforce that safety is a priority and no one should push through symptoms.

Read More: Tips to Prepare for a Summer Heat Wave

Your leadership directly impacts the health and morale of your team. When supervisors model and enforce smart heat safety practices, it builds trust and prevents emergencies. Stay alert, stay proactive and help your team stay safe this summer.

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, June 25). About heat and your health. Heat Health. https://www.cdc.gov/heat-health/about/index.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fextreme-heat%2Fabout%2Findex.html

June 5, 2025