U.S. Department of Labor 

MSHA 

Mine Safety & Health Administration 

Heat Stress Awareness 

Stakeholders Meeting 

7/26/23 

Jason Novakovich 

General Engineer 

Health Field Division 

MSHA Technical Support 
 

 

What is Heat Stress? 

• Heat Stress: The total heat load on the body 

which results from exposure to: 

1. External Sources/Environmental Factors 

& 

2. Internal Metabolic Heat Production 

• These 2 factors result in an increase in heat 

storage in the body which leads to heat strain. 
Reminder:. 1 

Health Alert: Heat Stress 

Heat Stress Preve ntion: 

Provide cool d1lnldnc wu er neilr min~ s 

Ena,ura,e min~ to drink• aip DI wne, 

ev...,.1s1020mlnvtH. 

Avoid drink$ with ufltlflt at1d i.r,e 

-untsolwct1. 

UM wnblodltlfi, l)fOpel P,Olectivot 

d1ntunaa"'Clshk:le. 

Use -imlnlltrat!Yc c;onuoh 10 rciHle: 

1TW1Crs on hot jobs. 

seti,edule hHvyt.sb durina cooler limes 

DO NOT: 

X Appfy k • d1rtffl't' 10 the 51tln. 

X Allowtheml~tobe<omeso 

coldthltltliv.rin1~ 

X L.Nve the ml....,. 11oM. 

MSHA Guidance 

• Issued a Heat Stress Health Alert May 2023 

(Recently Posted an Urgent Reminder 7/20/23) 

• Symptoms 

• Treatment 

• Prevention 

• Heat Index Chart 

https://www.msha.gov/heat-stress-health-alert 
 

 

 

 

Symptoms & Treatment 

• Symptoms: 

– Skin is hot, usually dry, red, or spotted 

– Body temperature over 105o F 

– Confusion / Pale or Flushed Face 

– Muscle Cramps 

• Treatments: 

Do: Do NOT: 

 Remove the miner from the hot area X Apply ice directly to the skin. 

 Give water if the miner is awake. X Leave the miner alone. 

 Seek medical help if no improvement. 

 Apply cool, wet cloths. X Allow the miner to become so cold that 

shivering develops. 
 

 

 

Prevention 

• Provide cool drinking water near miners. 

• Encourage miners to drink a cup of water every 15 to 20 

minutes. 

• Avoid drinks with caffeine and large amounts of sugar. 

• Use sun blockers, proper protective clothing and shade. 

• Use administrative controls to rotate miners on hot jobs. 

• Schedule heavy tasks during cooler times. 
NWS Heat Index Temperature (°F) 

80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98 100 102 104 106 

40 80 81 83 85 88 91 94 97 101 105 109 114 119 124 

45 80 82 84 87 89 93 96 100 104 109 114 119 124 -

0 ~ 50 81 83 85 88 91 95 99 103 108 113 118 124 -

~ 55 81 84 86 89 93 97 101 108 112 117 124 

'C 60 82 84 88 91 95 100 105 110 118 123 

E 65 82 85 89 93 98 103 108 114 121 

::::, 

::c 70 83 86 90 95 100 105 112 119 

CV 

> 76 84 88 92 97 103 109 118 124 

:::: 

ta 80 84 89 94 100 108 113 121 

CV 

,:x: 85 85 90 96 102 110 117 

90 86 91 98 105 113 122 

95 86 93 100 108 117 

100 87 95 103 112 121 

Likelihood of Heat D 

 

 

 

NWS Heat Index (HI) Risk Chart 

Caution (80-90) – Fatigue with prolonged exposure/physical activity 

Extreme Caution (90-105) – Sunstroke, heat cramps and heat exhaustion POSSIBLE 

Danger (105-130) – Sunstroke, heat cramps, heat exhaustion LIKELY, heat stroke POSSIBLE 

Extreme Danger (≥130) − Heatstroke/sunstroke HIGHLY LIKELY with continued exposure.
Precautions 

Conditions are haz.ardous. 

 

 

 

 

OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool App 

• Uses your current location to provide a 

real-time heat index (HI) value. 

– “Feels Like” = RH + Ambient Temperature 

• Provides precautionary recommendations 

based on the HI values 

– Hydration, Work/Rest, Emergency Planning 

& Response, Training 

• Provides hourly forecast of HI values 

– Planning, Future Risk 

• Provides more information on Signs, 

Symptoms and First Aid Measures 

Photo/info from: 

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/heatapp.html 
Thank You! 

Contact Information: 

Jason Novakovich 

novakovich.jason@dol.gov 

412-386-6286