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Heat stress & heat illness first aid at work

A workplace quick-reference for supervisors, safety leads, and small business owners. Print this page and post it where your team can see it — the goal is that anyone on shift can recognize heat illness early and act in the first two minutes.

Practical readiness guidance — not medical, legal, or engineering advice. In an emergency call your local emergency number.

Call 911 immediately if you see any of these

  • Confusion, slurred speech, or loss of consciousness
  • Seizure
  • Hot, dry skin — or profuse sweating with very high body temperature
  • Vomiting that won't stop, or the person can't drink fluids

While waiting for help: move the person to a cool area, remove outer clothing, and cool them aggressively with cold water, ice packs to the neck / armpits / groin, or a cool shower.

Heat stress (early warning)

The body is starting to struggle with heat. Act now and it usually resolves within an hour.

Signs

  • Heavy sweating
  • Thirst
  • Muscle cramps (usually legs or abdomen)
  • Feeling flushed or overheated

First aid

  • Move to shade or an air-conditioned area
  • Drink water — small, frequent sips
  • Loosen clothing, remove PPE where safe
  • Rest until cramps and thirst resolve

Heat exhaustion

A medical warning sign. Untreated, heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke within minutes.

Signs

  • Heavy sweating with pale, clammy skin
  • Headache, dizziness, weakness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Fast, weak pulse

First aid

  • Stop work — do not send the person home to recover alone
  • Move to a cool, shaded, or air-conditioned area
  • Loosen clothing; apply cool wet cloths or a cool shower
  • Sip water if fully alert; don't force fluids
  • Stay with them; call 911 if symptoms worsen or last more than an hour

Heat stroke (life-threatening)

A medical emergency. Every minute of cooling before EMS arrives improves survival and reduces long-term damage.

Signs

  • Body temperature 104°F (40°C) or higher
  • Confusion, slurred speech, aggressive behavior
  • Seizure or loss of consciousness
  • Hot skin — dry or sweaty

First aid

  • Call 911 immediately
  • Move to a cool area; remove outer clothing
  • Cool aggressively: cold water immersion is best, otherwise ice packs to neck, armpits, and groin
  • Do not give fluids if the person is not fully alert
  • Stay with them until EMS arrives

Prevention on shift

  • Water, rest, and shade are the baseline — not perks
  • New or returning workers need 1–2 weeks to acclimatize
  • Buddy system on hot days: watch each other for early signs
  • Adjust schedules to cooler parts of the day when possible
  • Train every supervisor to recognize the signs above

Assess your workplace

Turn this guide into a plan for your business

The WorkplaceReady Heatwave Readiness Assessment turns the principles above into concrete actions for your site — water stations, rest schedules, supervisor training, and escalation procedures.

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