Summer Safety Tips

for Workers
HS20-004A (05-20)

A fter working a shift in a

hot, humid manufacturing
facility in late August, a 41-year-
old certified welder collapsed
in the parking lot on the way to
his car. With an internal body
temperature of 108 degrees,
he was rushed to the hospital,
where he died from advanced
heat stroke complications.1

According to the U.S. Bureau

of Labor Statistics, five Texans
died of work-related heat
illnesses in 2018. Another 270
Texans – nearly half of whom
worked in construction or
excavation – reported job-related
heat ailments requiring time
away from work. These Texans
accounted for about 7% of the
illnesses and more than 10%
of the fatalities associated with
workplace environmental heat
exposure in the U.S.2

Texas: The Hottest

Place in the World? researchers, using “effective
temperatures,” – an index that
What is more, Texas is trending
hotter. In 2019, Texas wrapped
It is no secret to any Texan that calculates humidity and air up its extended summer
summers here are long and movement with thermometer by shattering September
hot. According to the National readings – named sections of heat records with average
Oceanic and Atmospheric Texas among the hottest places temperatures 3 to 5 degrees
Administration, the hottest in the world. That’s right! The above previous benchmarks in
maximum temperature ever lower Rio Grande Valley and Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Del
recorded in the state – 120 along the Texas Gulf Coast had Rio, Houston, and Tyler.4 This
degrees -- occurred in the small higher effective temperatures followed an unprecedented
town of Monahans, Texas, in than Death Valley in the Mojave August in Austin, which logged 27
Ward County near Odessa Desert. The only places with days of triple-digit temperatures,
on June 28, 1994. However, higher effective temperatures and left meteorologists
it may come as a surprise than Texas were the Red Sea and estimating that Texans can
that in the scientific journal, the Indus Valley.3 expect about 22 more extreme
Environmental Physiology, heat days today than in 1979.5

Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation

www.txsafetyatwork.com
HS20-004A (05-20)
 boiler rooms, mills, foundries,
What is Heat Stress? manufacturing facilities,
warehouses, and more.
When exposed to high temperatures, the body’s internal High humidity, direct physical
temperature rises, and the heart rate increases. As the internal contact with hot objects,
temperature continues to rise, the body stores heat, and the nearness to a radiant heat
person may become irritable, lose concentration, or have difficulty source, and strenuous physical
focusing on a task. They can develop a heat rash, heat cramps, or activities also contribute to job-
heat exhaustion. Sickness, such as nausea and vomiting may occur, related heat illnesses. Workers
and the person may lose the desire to drink. The next stage is often older than 65 and those with
fainting. A more serious illness, heat stroke, may bring permanent heart conditions, high blood
disability, organ failure, and death if the person is not cooled pressure, or obesity are at
immediately. greater risk of heat-related
complications. However, each
Who is at Risk? year young, healthy workers also
experience the negative effects
Millions of U.S. workers are exposed to extreme heat in their of environmental heat exposure.
workplaces. Notable industries where workers have suffered Fortunately, with proper training,
heat-related illnesses include agriculture; construction (especially education, and information,
road and roofing work); landscaping; firefighting and hazardous these illnesses and fatalities are
waste operations; mail and package delivery; and oil and gas well preventable.
operations. However, dangerous heat exposure is not limited to
outdoor jobs. Summer temperatures also bring increased risks of Managing Heat Stress
heat-related illnesses to workers in bakeries, kitchens, laundries, in the Workplace
In 2010, Austin passed an
OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool App ordinance making it the first
The free OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool
is a useful resource for planning outdoor
city in Texas to mandate one
work activities based on how hot it feels ten-minute rest break per four-
throughout the day. It features real-time hour shift for construction
heat index and hourly forecasts specific to workers. Dallas followed suit in
your location, as well as occupational safety
and health recommendations from OSHA 2015.6 Similar workplace laws
and NIOSH. are lacking across the state.
The OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool features:
However, the Occupational
Safety and Health Act’s general
• the current heat index and risk levels duty clause requires employers
specific to your current location;
to furnish each worker a place
• recommendations specific to heat of employment “free from
index-associated risk levels; recognized hazards that are
• an interactive, hourly forecast of causing or are likely to cause
heat index values, risk level, and death or serious physical harm.”
recommendations for planning outdoor
work activities in advance; Ensuring that workers know the
• location, temperature, and humidity risks associated with heat and
controls to calculate variable how to manage the threat is one
conditions; and of the most important safety
• signs, symptoms, and first aid measures managers can provide.
information for heat-related illnesses. Include the following as part of a
regular employee safety training
program:

Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation

www.txsafetyatwork.com
HS20-004A (05-20)
 Prevent Heat Illnesses

1
Stay Hydrated
Provide workers with lots of water and encourage them to drink at least one pint every
hour. Avoid liquids that can dehydrate the body, such as caffeine. Consider carrying
frozen water bottles to ensure cool hydration is available later in the shift. Ensure water is
close and available on all job sites.

2
Modify Work Schedules
Monitor the temperature throughout the day and modify work schedules to limit
strenuous activity during peak hours of heat from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Allow or arrange for
frequent rest periods with water breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas. Firefighters
and hazardous waste site workers should remove gear and take cooldown breaks at

3
intervals.
Avoid Clothing that Traps Heat
Waterproof or impermeable clothing and wet or sweat-soaked clothing can trap heat.
Avoid wearing rain-resistant or emergency protective gear longer than necessary. Layer
a work shirt over an undershirt to help keep sweat and heat away from the skin. Choose
lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, if possible. Carry spare shirts to replace

4
wet or sweaty shirts as needed.

Wear Gear that Cools You.

Consider wearing wet neck towels, gel-filled cooling neck scarves or cooling vests to keep
body heat down. Several types of cooling vests are available.

5
Modify the Environment.
If it is impractical to air condition a hot indoor space, consider air conditioning a nearby
room such as a break room where workers can cool down. Consider portable air
conditioning units to cool down individual workstations. Fans can help, but they blow hot
air!

6
Monitor Body Functions
Monitor heat’s effect on the body by checking the color of your urine – dark yellow urine
means it is time to hydrate. Outside workers and those in hot quarters expect to sweat in
the heat, but decreased sweating can also mean dehydration.

7
Slowly Acclimate New or Returning Workers to the Heat
Gradually increase workloads and allow more frequent breaks for workers new to the heat
or those who have been away from work. Their bodies need time to adapt to working in the
heat.

8
Know the Signs of Heat Illness
Feeling dizzy or sluggish outside on a hot day can be the body’s way of signaling a more
serious condition.

Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation

www.txsafetyatwork.com
HS20-004A (05-20)
Symptoms of Heat Illnesses
RISK LEVEL 1: Heat Cramps
Heat cramps are muscle spasms caused by salt and water loss.
These heat cramps often occur in the hands, calves, or feet.
Spasms may stop on their own, but lingering soreness can
remain for 24-48 hours.

RISK LEVEL 2: Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is more than a feeling of fatigue or weakness. Its symptoms
include headache, dizziness, wet skin, irritability, confusion, increased thirst,
nausea, or vomiting. Fainting may occur as a person’s body tries to regulate the
heat by lowering blood pressure. This can lead to a stroke or other life-threatening
conditions if left untreated. Heat exhaustion occurs when the body’s core
temperature increases to 101-104 degrees.

RISK LEVEL 3: Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is an emergency medical condition. Workers should get help fast. The symptoms of
heat stroke can include lack of sweat, reddened dry skin, confusion, fainting, collapse, seizures,
and organ failure. Heat stroke occurs when the body’s core temperature reaches 104 degrees or
higher.

Respond to Heat Illnesses

Stop Physical Activity
When showing signs of a heat illness, stop physical activity and move to a cool place.

Cool the Body

Remove outer clothing. Fan and mist the body. Apply ice bags or ice towels, if available.

Drink Water
Drink cool water or a watered-down sports drink, if able to drink.

Position the Body for Safety

Lay an employee on their left side if the person is nauseous, light-headed, or unconscious.
In the event of fainting, lay the worker on their back and raise their legs six or eight inches
above the heart. If the person has a seizure, remove nearby objects to prevent injury.

Call 911. If a person refuses water, vomits, or starts to lose consciousness, seek medical
attention immediately. If the person is unconscious and has stopped breathing, give CPR
(cardiopulmonary resuscitation) until emergency medical responders arrive. If dizziness,
cramping, nausea, or headache persist for more than an hour, call a supervisor for help and
seek medical care.

Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation

www.txsafetyatwork.com
HS20-004A (05-20)
 Other Summer Hazards
The hot Texas months pose more than heat risks for outdoor workers. Sun exposure, insect-borne
illnesses, and poisonous plants are additional hazards workers must manage and protect against.

• Limit Exposure. Sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV) radiation. It can

Sun Exposure cause cataracts and skin cancer, as well as wrinkles and premature
aging. UV rays are most intense between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. If possible,
limit sun exposure during these times.

• Cover Up. Block harmful rays by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long

pants, and a wide-brimmed hat.

• Use Sunscreen. Sunscreens with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at

least 30 help protect against UV radiation. Always follow application
directions on the bottle or tube.

• Wear UV-Absorbent Eye Protection. Sunglasses do not have to be

expensive, but they should block 99%-100% of UVA and UVB radiation.
Before buying sunglasses, read the product tag or label.

Tick-Borne • Use Tick Repellants. Tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme Disease and
Diseases Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, are transmitted to people by bacteria
from bites from infected ticks. When working outdoors, workers should
protect themselves by using tick repellant on all areas except the face.

• Wear Protective Clothing. When working outdoors, wear long-sleeved,

light-colored clothes to more easily see ticks. Wear high boots or closed
shoes, and tuck pant legs into socks or boots.

• Shower and Examine Your Body. After working outdoors, always

shower and examine your body for ticks. Remove any attached ticks
with fine-tipped tweezers. Do not use petroleum jelly, a hot match,
or nail polish to remove the ticks. Wash and dry your work clothes
promptly on a high temperature.

• Know the Symptoms of Tick-Borne Diseases. In the case of Lyme

Disease, most, but not all, victims will develop a bulls-eye rash. Other
symptoms of tick-borne diseases may include flu-like muscle aches,
fever, swollen lymph nodes, neck stiffness, general fatigue, headaches,
and migrating joint aches. Seek medical attention.

Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation

www.txsafetyatwork.com
HS20-004A (05-20)
 West Nile • Get Rid of Standing Water. West Nile Virus is transmitted by the bite
Virus of an infected mosquito. By ridding the area of sources of standing
water, such as in used tires or buckets, it reduces or eliminates
mosquito breeding grounds. Take extra care at dusk and dawn when
mosquitoes are most active.

• Wear Protective Clothing. Limit the amount of skin you expose when
working outdoors. Wear long sleeves, long pants, socks, and closed
shoes or boots.

• Use Insect Repellent. Apply Picaridin or DEET insect repellent to skin

and clothing. While permethrin can be sprayed on clothing, never apply
it to exposed skin.

• Know the Symptoms of West Nile Virus. Mild symptoms of West

Nile Virus can include fever, headache, and body aches. Occasionally,
swollen lymph glands and a skin rash will appear on the trunk of the
body. More severe symptoms include headache, high fever, neck
stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle
weakness, and paralysis. Seek medical attention immediately.

Poisonous • Train Employees to Recognize Poisonous Plants. Educate employees

Plants on the identification of poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.
These plants have a poisonous sap in their roots, stems, leaves, and
fruits. About 85% of the people who encounter this sap develop an
allergic rash. Burning these plants can also cause lung irritation.

• Wear Protective Clothing. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants tucked

into boots, and cloth or leather gloves.

• Protect the Skin. Apply barrier creams to protect exposed skin. Keep
rubbing alcohol nearby. It removes the sap if applied within 30 minutes
after exposure.

Training Tips
At new employee orientation and each year before the long, hot Texas months, review with employees
the dangers and ways to prevent serious heat-related illnesses, insect-borne diseases, and exposure to
poisonous plants. Consider developing a separate summer hazards training and preparation program to
help managers and employees work together to find new ways to protect workers. Let employees know
management is concerned about their health and well-being. Customize policies and procedures unique
to your company operations, employees, and job responsibilities. Be prepared to modify schedules,
duties, and breaks as needed to keep employees healthy, and to keep the company’s bottom line strong.

For more information on summer safety and other workplace safety tips, download any of DWC’s Free
Safety and Health Publications or contact a DWC Safety Training Specialist at www.txsafetyatwork.com,
[email protected], or 1-800-252-7031, Option 2.

Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation

www.txsafetyatwork.com
HS20-004A (05-20)
 References
1
EHS Today. Cool Down: Preventing Workplace Heat Stress. Website. https://www.ehstoday.com/health/article/21915693/cool-
down-preventing-workplace-heat-stress. Accessed April 12, 2020.
2
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Injuries/Illnesses and Fatal Injuries Profiles. Case and Demographic Numbers and
Fatal Injuries Numbers. Event or Exposure. Exposure to Environmental Heat, All Ownerships. US and Texas. Website. https://
data.bls.gov/gqt/InitialPage. Accessed May 15, 2020.
3
Texas Monthly. The Hottest Place in the Whole U.S.A. Website. https://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/the-hottest-place-in-the-
whole-u-s-a/. Accessed May 12, 2020.
4
Texas Monthly. The Summer That Wouldn’t Die. Website. https://www.texasmonthly.com/being-texan/the-summer-that-
wouldnt-die/. Accessed May 12, 2020.
5
Austin Monthly. Is a Summer Heatwave Inevitable for Austin? Website. https://www.austinmonthly.com/is-a-summer-heatwave-
inevitable-for-austin/. Accessed May 12, 2020.
6
Texas Workforce Commission. Fair Labor Standards Act -What it Does and Does Not Do. Website. https://www.twc.texas.gov/
news/efte/flsa_does_and_doesnt_do.html. Accessed May 19, 2020.

Safety Violations Hotline

1-800-452-9595
[email protected]
The Texas Department of Insurance,
Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC)
E-mail [email protected]
or call 1-800-687-7080 for more information.

Disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted, this document was produced by the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation
(DWC)-Workplace Safety using information from staff subject specialists, government entities, or other authoritative sources. Information
contained in this fact sheet is considered accurate at the time of publication. For more free DWC publications on this and other safety topics and
for free occupational safety and health audiovisual loans, visit www.txsafetyatwork.com, call 800-252-7031, option 2, or email resourcecenter@
tdi.texas.gov.

Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation

www.txsafetyatwork.com
HS20-004A (05-20)