Protective Measures

It is the employer's responsibility to provide employees with a safe work environment. However, both employers and employees can use the heat index to prepare and protect against heat-related stress and illness. The heat index accounts for both heat and humidity, and then it categorizes the risks associated with each level of heat and humidity and provides protective measures. This is a key resource that employers and employees can use to ensure that all necessary safety precautions are taken.

Employers and employees should consult with the heat index each day and throughout the day. After consulting the heat index, a plan should be made to help prepare for the risks associated with the index reading. Employers should open the floor to suggestions that employees have about improving precautions and protective measures that are part of the daily plan. Employers should regularly check the heat index throughout the day, and then implement adjustments to workloads and rest schedules as necessary.

To learn more about Heat Stress visit our Heat Stress, Illness & Injury Safety Online Training web page.