Ways to Manage Heat Stress in the Workplace
Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, employers must take every reasonable precaution for the protection of a worker. This includes protecting workers form heat stress, below are several tips to do this:
Plan Ahead to Reduce Heat Stress
Administrative controls such as workplace policies and procedures, scheduling, and training can all help reduce the risk of heat stress. Some examples include:
- Assessing the demands of all jobs and putting a plan in place for hot days and workspaces
- Increasing the frequency and length of rest breaks
- Scheduling strenuous jobs during the cooler times of the day such as in the early morning or late afternoon/night
- Providing cool drinking water near workers
- Remind workers to drink water at least every 15 to 20 minutes
- Cautioning workers to avoid direct sunlight where possible
- Assigning more workers or slowing down the pace of work
- Making sure workers have time to acclimatize to a modified intensity of work
- Training workers to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat stress
- Start a buddy system since people are not likely to notice their own symptoms
- Report any heat-related incidents to Health and Safety
- Know who the designated first aiders are in your work area
- Advise workers who are pregnant or have a medical condition to consult their physician about working in the heat. If needed accommodations should be submitted to Health and Safety.
- Follow approved accommodation plans
Help Workers Adjust to Hot Environments
Having more time to acclimatize to a hot environment, helps workers' bodies handle the heat better. Some workers may need more time to adjust to hot environments if they have certain health conditions or based on individual characteristics.
For new workers with no experience in hot conditions, some tips to help them tolerate heat are:
- Gradually increase the activity level over one to two weeks
- Gradually increase the amount of time spent in hot working conditions
Workers with experience in hot conditions may still need to gradually readjust to the heat if they have been ill or away from work for 9 days or more or at the start of the summer season.
Supervisor Tips
- Supervisors should be constantly monitoring workers for signs that could suggest a risk of illness due to heat stress
- Put up resource posters in your work area
- Go over heat stress information while training new workers
- Encourage workers to wear suitable protective clothing that is breathable if possible
- Report incidents or near misses to Health and Safety immediately through the incident reporting form
- Monitor weather conditions and plan work accordingly
Supervisor Resources
Heat Stress Awareness Guide
Posters for Work Area
Ministry of Labour Heat Stress Page
Unifor Heat Stress Page
