Comprehend Heat 

Illness Prevention 

(HIP) Procedures

Supervisor 

Responsibilities

Zero Significant 

Injuries / Illnesses
Heat Illness Factors, 

Types, Causes and 

Risks

Prevention & HIP 

Plan, + Form

Review 
Thermal Heat by 

Mechanical Means 

or Function

Direct Sunlight 

or Secondary 

Reflection
Heat Illness Prevention Safety Training

HEAT 

RASHES

Most common 

problem in hot 

environments. 

Prickly heat exists 

through wet 

un-evaporated 

sweat, and heat 

rash papules give 

rise to sensation

HEAT 

STRESS

Includes heat 

cramps, which 

are non 

emergent. 

Treated by salt 

replacement.

HEAT 

COLLAPSE

In heat collapse 

(FAINTING), the 

body’s heat 

balance is not 

affected. Onset 

is rapid and 

unpredictable. 

Acclimatization 

is the key to 

preventing Heat 

Collapse.

HEAT 

EXHAUSTION

Caused by 

exposure to 

heat, resulting in 

the depletion of 

body fluids and 

causing 

weakness, 

dizziness, 

nausea, and 

often collapse.

HEAT 

STROKE

A severe 

condition 

caused by 

impairment of 

the body's 

temperature 

regulating 

abilities, 

resulting from 

prolonged 

exposure to 

excessive heat.
HEAT 

EXHAUSTION

HEAT 

STROKE
Exposure to 

high heat, 

thermal heat, or 

intense sunlight 

Strenuous 

work in 85 

degrees F 

or above 

Dehydration from 

heat causing 

stress to the 

bodies organs
JE DUNN

Heat Related Illnesses

 2021 - 0 

 2020 - 1 

 2019 - 4 

More people 

died from 

extreme heat 

than from any 

other extreme 

weather events

8,015 deaths 

in the US from 

1979-2003

In 2001, 300 

deaths were 

caused by 

excessive heat 

exposure

Construction 

workers are not 

exempt from heat 

illness!
Heat Illness Prevention Safety Training

Younger

Individuals Older, 65+ Overweight, Out of Shape

People Exerting 

More Energy

People From

Cooler Climates/

Low Humidity

People

With: Diarrhea,

Diabetes, Obesity,

Heart Problems, Etc

People Not

Acclimated
Acclimatization 

Period!!!

!

It takes 14 days to fully 

acclimate to heat conditions.

This could be a new Laborer, 

Trade Foreman, PE, FE, 

Superintendent, etc..

Supervisors shall closely monitor 

new employees to ensure 

acclimation is part of plan to 

control this important risk
Heat Illness Prevention Safety Training

70°-91°F

LOWER RISK

No limits on self-paced work. 

Define project specific Heat Illness Prevention Plan and 

Actions – water, rest, shade.

EMPLOYEES: Drink water throughout the day.

SUPERVISORS: Monitor heat index regularly, observe 

employees wearing heavy, non-breathable coveralls or 

extra PPE and observe employees for signs of heatrelated illness. Acclimate new and returning employees 

who perform strenuous work.

91°F - 103 °F 

MODERATE RISK

Conditions may limit work activities.

EMPLOYEES: Drink 4 cups of water every hour, rest for 5 

minutes every hour (55:5 work/rest cycles), observe 

coworkers for signs of heat-related illness.

SUPERVISORS: Ensure shaded or air-conditioned areas 

for breaks are close to work area. Increase hydration 

and cool down breaks. Monitor closely new and 

returning employees and acclimate employees.

103°-115°F

HIGH RISK

Conditions will limit work activities. Encourage indoor 

work, where possible. 

EMPLOYEES: Drink, at minimum, 4 but no more than 6 

cups of cool water per hour, work/rest cycles of 50:10 

minutes.

SUPERVISORS: Implement work/rest cycles of 50:10 

minutes, set up buddy system, ensure employees are 

acclimated to weather conditions, closely supervise 

new employees for the first 7 days, recommend using 

thermometers with employees during rest periods and 

breaks to ensure heat-related illnesses are avoided.

> 115°F

EXTREME RISK

Work Limited to critical functions. 

EMPLOYEES: Drink, at minimum, 4 but no 

more than 6 cups of water per hour. 

SUPERVISORS: Assess type of work closely. Provide 

employees with personal cooling measures, i.e. cooling 

vests, work/rest cycles 30:30 minutes. Ensure buddy 

system in place, set up shade canopies over work areas 

in direct sunshine or move into shade, never leave 

employees unattended, use thermometers on all 

employees during rest periods and breaks.
Heat Illness Prevention Safety Training

HEAT ILLNESS PLAN

TRAINING

Employees shall be trained effectively prior to 

heat exposure in topics such as risk factors, 

importance of water consumption, methods of 

acclimatization, types of heat illness, employer 

compliance procedures and emergency response 

procedures. As well as the added burden of heat 

load on the body caused by exertion, clothing, 

and PPE.

HIGH HEAT

High-heat procedures shall be implemented when the 

temperature equals or exceeds 95 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Ensure that effective communication by voice, 

observation, or electronic means is maintained so that 

employees at the work site can contact a supervisor 

when necessary. Observe employees for alertness and 

signs or symptoms of heatillness.

WATER

Employees shall have access to potable drinking 

water that is fresh, pure, suitably cool, and 

provided free of charge. The water shall be 

located as close as practicable to the areas 

where employees are working. Water shall be 

provided in sufficient quantity at the beginning of 

work to provide one quart per employee per 

hour.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Maintain effective communication by voice, 

observation, or electronic means at all times. Provide 

proper response to signs and symptoms of possible 

heat illness, including first aid measures and how 

emergency medical services will be provided. 

Contacting emergency medical services or transporting 

employees, and clear and precise directions to the 

work site.

SHADE & REST

Employees shall be allowed and encouraged to 

take a preventative cool-down rest in the shade 

when they feel the need to do so to protect 

themselves from overheating. Such access

to shade shall be permitted at all times and 

large enough to accommodate the number of 

employees on recovery or rest periods.

ACCLIMATIZATION

All employees shall be closely observed by a 

supervisor or designee during a HEAT WAVE. HEAT 

WAVE means any day in which the predicted high 

temperature for the day will be at least 80 degrees 

Fahrenheit and at least ten degrees Fahrenheit higher 

than the average high daily temperature in the 

preceding five days.

IN CASE OF HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS:

CALL 911 OR LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES NUMBER AT ONCE

WHILE WAITING FOR HELP TOARRIVE:

MOVE THE WORKERTO A 

COOL SHADEDAREA

LOOSEN OR REMOVE HEAVY 

CLOTHING

PROVIDE COOL DRINKING 

WATER

FAN ANDMIST THE PERSON WITH 

WATER
Heat Illness Prevention Safety Training

Heat Illness Prevention

The best way to avoid heat illness is through

Knowledge + HIP Plan Implementation!
A temperature of 80

Degrees Fahrenheit 

or greater requires 

shade 

A temperature of 95

Degrees Fahrenheit 

requires high heat 

prevention measures 

& work rest regimen, 

as referenced

If Index exceeds 103 

Degrees Fahrenheit, 

assess all outdoor 

work & implement 

additional 

precautions. 50:10 

work rest periods 
Heat Illness Prevention Safety Training

PROACTIVE

1

DEVELOP

A plan outlining roles, 

responsibilities, and 

mitigation procedures 

2

TRAIN

All personnel

3

IMPLEMENT

Heat illness 

prevention plan and 

controls, then verify 

effectiveness
Heat Illness Prevention Safety Training

1. 

Heat Illness

Prevention

Plan

2. 

Training

3. 

Water

4. 

Work

Rest

Regimen 

+

Shade
Heat Illness Prevention Safety Training

 Each site should develop a plan to mitigate the 

risks related to heat illness

 Define provisions for: supply of cool 

drinking water, shade, work/rest cycles, 

acclimatization, emergency procedures, 

weather monitoring, communication, 

training, supervisor responsibilities

 High-heat procedures: Employer should 

implement high-heat procedures when 

temperatures equal or exceed 95 degrees 

Fahrenheit. Observe heat index triggers for 

additional guidance. Use extreme caution and 

monitor personnel closely during heat waves 

and when heat index rises to high and extreme 

risk levels.

1
Heat Illness Prevention Safety Training

Employee training: Effective training topics shall 

be provided to each supervisory and nonsupervisory employee before employee begins 

work that should reasonably be anticipated to 

result in exposure to the risk of heat illness. 

Supervisors / Superintendents & Foreman need to 

understand their roles & responsibilities when it 

comes to protecting people from heat illness. 

HIP Plan, signs/symptoms, how to Handle Sick 

Employee, closely monitor new employees for 

acclimatization, monitor weather for high heat, 

and responsibility to ask workers to drink water 

regularly. 

2
Heat Illness Prevention Safety Training

Provision of water: Employees shall have 

access to cool potable drinking water. Where 

drinking water is not plumbed or otherwise 

continuously supplied, it shall be provided in 

sufficient quantity at the beginning of the work 

shift to provide one quart per employee per 

hour for drinking for the entire shift. 

 Cool Water is between 50-60 F

 Have plan for delivering ice

 Who will deliver it

 How often will they deliver

 Contingency plans

3
Heat Illness Prevention Safety Training

 Work/Rest cycles (or schedules) should be 

considered when heat index exceeds: 

 95 F regular rest periods for cool down

 

 103 F heat index – Work/Rest cycle should 

be 50 min / 10 min every hour

 115 F – Work/Rest cycles of 40 min / 20 min 

every hour 

 Shade required to be present when the 

temperature exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit. 

The employer shall have and maintain one or 

more areas with shade at all times while 

employees are present that are either open to 

the air or provided with ventilation or cooling to 

accommodate 25% of the employees on the 

shift at any time, so that they can sit in a normal 

posture fully in the shade without having to be in 4 physical contact with each other.
Heat Illness Prevention Safety Training

Handling a Sick Employee

 When an employee displays possible signs or symptoms of heat illness, a trained 

first aid worker or supervisor with check the sick employee and determine whether 

resting in shade and drinking cool water will suffice or emergency service providers 

will need to be called. Never leave a sick worker alone in the shade, as he or she 

can take a turn for the worse!

 When an employee displays possible signs or symptoms of heat illness and no 

trained first aid worker or supervisor is available at the site, emergency service 

providers must be called. Ensure everyone knows how to get in touch with 

Emergency Services. Contact information and who will make call. 

 Emergency service providers will be called immediately if an employee displays 

signs or symptoms of heat illness (loss of consciousness, incoherent speech, 

convulsions, red and hot face, does not look well or does not get better after 

drinking cool water and resting in shade or cool environment. Cool the worker 

down and provide first aid.

 If an employee does not look well, and displays signs or symptoms of severe heat 

illness, and the worksite is located more than 20 minutes away from a hospital 

contact emergency service providers and communicate the signs / symptoms of 

the victim and request air ambulance (air evac).

1. Be trained on HIP procedures and ensure 

a written plan is in place plus actively managed

2. Know how to track weather and monitor 

frequently 

3. Instruct employees on water / rest regimens

*Direct personnel to hydrate

4. Train workers before working outdoors or in 

warm environments

5. Know steps to notify Emergency personnel

6. Know how to give “tailgate meetings” to

reinforce heat illness prevention

7. Assign “buddy” or experienced worker

(supervisor) to ensure comprehension of training
Heat Illness Prevention Safety Training

Let’s Review

 Procedures for heat illness prevention shall be put in place by the employer?

 A. True 

B. False 

Answer = True 

 Heat Index risk rises with not only heat, but humidity?

 A. True 

B. False 

Answer = True 

 In areas that are not normally hot, heat prevention measures do not need to be followed?

 A. True 

B. False

Answer = False 
Heat Illness Prevention Safety Training

Let’s Review

 Cool Water must be provided for all employees ?

 A. True 

B. False 

Answer = True

 It is required that shade be provided within a reasonable walking distance?

A. True 

B. False 

Answer = True 

 Employee suffering from heat exhaustion sweats profusely?

A. True 

B. False

Answer = False 
Heat Illness Prevention Safety Training