Issues
Heat Stress & Illness
More than 90 million U.S. workers are exposed to heat on the job. Although illness from exposure to heat is preventable, every year thousands become sick and many workers die.
Get the Facts
92 million
Workers in the U.S. are impacted by heat stress.
The most heavily impacted industries include construction, agriculture, and logistics & warehousing, all critical to our economy and way of life.
Compared to the 1960s, the average heat wave season is 49 days longer and heat waves occur 3x more frequently.
170,000
Workers injured
Each year, 170,000 workers in the U.S. suffer injuries due to heat stress. As many as 2,000 die.
5x
Low-income impact
Low-income, minority workers are 5 times more likely to suffer from heat stress and illness.
$100 billion
Economic impact
Each year, over $100B of economic activity is lost due to extreme heat.
Why It's Important
Heat waves are occurring 3 times more regularly today than in the 1960s, and the average heat wave season is a 49 days longer. ISEA believes that a national heat stress standard is a crucial step towards protecting some of our most vulnerable workers in a warming world. Â
In 2022, OSHA launched a National Emphasis Program (NEP) to protect millions of workers from heat illness and injuries.  Through the program, OSHA is conducting heat-related workplace inspections before workers suffer completely preventable injuries, illnesses or, even worse, fatalities.  The NEP creates a particular focus for OSHA inspectors over the next three years to proactively inspect workplaces for heat-related hazards on high-risk worksites, worksites with a history of heat-related incidents, and any site they may deem appropriate on days when the heat index reaches 80°F or higher or when the National Weather Service issues a heat warning or advisory.
Proper PPE & Effective Management Save Lives
50% reduction
In heat related illness
Workers wearing cooling PPE experience a decrease in heat related illness of up to 50%.
90% reduction
In heat related illness
Effective heat stress management programs can reduce incidences of heat related illness by 90%+.
50% reduction
In worker comp costs
Effective heat stress management programs can slash worker compensation costs by 50%.Â
What We're Doing
What You Can Do
Establish a Heat Safety Program – To protect the health and safety of occupational workers exposed to heat stress, employers must establish strategies, resources, and feasible heat safety recommendations that workers will accept and follow. Employer Heat Safety Programs should include planning, guidance and training. Â
Know your environment - The weather forecast does not always predict actual job site conditions. To determine your microclimate, OSHA recommends the use of a Wet Globe Bulb Temperature Monitor which measures temperature, cloud cover, sun angle, wind speed, and humidity.Â
Acclimate workers to hot conditions – New workers or those returning after an absence should be acclimated slowly to very hot environments, starting with just a few hours each day and increasing gradually.Â
Hydrate the right way – Encourage your workers to hydrate as much as possible the night before, during their shift, and after work! Provide an electrolyte replacement drink or ice water to workers throughout the day. If hydration is too far away, or unpleasantly warm, people won’t hydrate properly.Â
Modify work to rest ratio – If conditions are especially hot, increase break time and frequency to allow workers to cool off and hydrate.Â
Provide quality body cooling PPE -  Portable, reusable cooling gear that cools instantly, and stays cool for hours provides on-demand relief from the heat.Â
