Risk Levels

Temperatures under 91°F present a lower level of risk. Employers should encourage workers to drink adequate amounts of drinking water and ensure that medical services are available within 3 to 4 minutes.

Temperatures between 91 and 103°F present a moderate risk level, which requires the following precautions in addition to those from the lower level of risk:

• Remind workers to drink often.
• Respond to heat-related illness and stress quickly.
• Schedule frequent rest breaks in cool, shaded areas.
• Make sure that new and returning workers acclimatize.
• Establish a buddy system.
• Encourage workers to wear sunscreen and other protective measures.

Temperatures between 103 and 115°F present a high level of risk. The following additional precautions are encouraged for workers and employers in these environments:

• Actively encourage workers to drink water often.
• Watch for workers experiencing heat-related illness.
• Establish and reinforce work and rest schedules.
• Adjust work activities to accommodate heavy tasks.
• Have a person onsite who is knowledgeable about first aid responses to heat-related illnesses and stress.
• Ensure that adequate medical services are available.

Temperatures that exceed 115°F present a very high to extreme risk level. If workers must operate in these conditions, take the following precautions in addition to those previously listed:

• Prioritize essential work tasks carefully.
• Move essential outdoor work to the coolest part of the work shift.
• Schedule earlier start times, split shifts, or schedule evening and night shifts.
• Reschedule work for a day with cooler temperatures, if possible.

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