Heat Stress Prevention Tips for Safer, More Productive Jobsites
Stop Heat Stress Before It Stops Your Worksite
Know the Risk: Why June Is the Right Time to Act
June is National Safety Month, a timely reminder for safety managers and site supervisors to revisit protocols that protect teams under extreme conditions, especially as temperatures rise. Heat stress isn't limited to sunny outdoor job sites; it often strikes in metal shops, warehouses, smelters, and confined indoor areas where ventilation is poor and radiant heat builds up fast.
Without early prevention, heat stress can derail operations, lead to medical incidents, and force critical downtime. But with the right planning, gear, and hydration protocols, your team stays safe, comfortable, and productive—all summer long.
Spot the Signs Early: Heat Illness Symptoms to Watch
Heat-related illness progresses in stages and requires rapid recognition. Learn to spot these red flags before they escalate:
● Heat rash and cramps:
Itchy red skin or muscle spasms are early indicators. Don’t ignore them—they’re often a precursor to more serious symptoms.
● Heat exhaustion:
Heavy sweating, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and a rapid pulse signal that the body can’t keep up with heat output. Core temperatures may reach up to 104°F.
● Heat stroke:
Confusion, dry skin, slurred speech, and unconsciousness indicate a medical emergency. Core temperature exceeds 104°F, and urgent cooling is critical.
For a full medical overview of symptoms and treatment options, refer to Mayo Clinic’s heat illness guide.
Surprising Places Where Heat Stress Hides
Heat risk isn’t always obvious. Many worksites generate significant thermal stress even when outdoor temps seem manageable. Knowing the hidden triggers can help prevent exposure before it starts.
Heavy PPE or flame-resistant clothing traps heat
Workers wearing welding gear, respirators, or full-body coveralls retain body heat and prevent sweat from evaporating efficiently. Moisture-wicking apparel like the Chill-Its® 6689 Cooling Longsleeve Sun Shirt with UV Protection and cooling vests with ice packs are lightweight alternatives that provide protective coverage and comfort.
Enclosed or poorly ventilated indoor spaces
Jobsites like warehouses, mines, or food plants may lack airflow, creating a greenhouse effect. Radiant heat from machines or lighting only worsens the environment. Introducing a portable jobsite fan can make a dramatic difference in perceived temperature and air circulation.
Confined spaces
Areas like manholes or tanks can trap heat and humidity, putting workers at higher risk for dehydration and heat stroke. These spaces also require frequent entry/exit cycles—monitoring and regular cooldown breaks are essential.
Hot-to-cold transitions
Workers moving between hot factory floors and refrigerated spaces (like cold storage) are at risk for thermal shock. A sudden shift from sweating to freezing can trigger muscle cramping or even hypothermia.
Lack of shade in outdoor staging zones
Hydration stations or rest areas should be shaded and cool. If trees or permanent structures aren’t available, a heavy-duty pop-up tent can offer portable relief and help teams recover quickly before resuming work.
Best Practices to Prevent Heat Stress
Preventing heat illness is a layered approach: hydration, acclimatization, work-rest scheduling, and the right equipment all work together to protect your team.
Hydrate early and often
According to OSHA, workers should drink 8 ounces of water every 15–20 minutes during periods of high heat. Encourage sipping—not chugging—and offer electrolyte support to replace sodium and potassium lost through sweat. Lawson's Qwik Stik® Mix and Sqweeze® Freeze Pops are refreshing, low-cost options that support proper hydration on site.
Plan for acclimatization
Don’t push new or returning workers into full shifts immediately. NIOSH recommends beginning at 20% exposure on day one, adding 20% each day until the full workload is reached. Short breaks in cool areas should be scheduled regularly to help the body adjust.
Create shade and airflow in rest areas
Set up designated cool zones equipped with shade structures, fans, and access to cold water. These spaces give workers time to recover and reduce their risk of overheating before returning to the job. For those who can’t leave the work zone, wearable cooling gear can make a significant difference. The Chill-Its Evaporative Hard Hat Cooling Pad from Lawson offers instant cooling relief for up to four hours. Designed for comfort and durability, it fits most hard hats and reactivates with just a splash of water—helping your team stay cooler and safer on the job.
Train and document
Education matters. Ensure your team knows how to recognize symptoms, when to report them, and what to do in an emergency. As OSHA moves toward finalizing its Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Rule, having a documented heat safety plan and training logs will soon be mandatory.
Create a Proactive Worksite This Summer
Every moment lost to heat illness is a hit to productivity—and more importantly, to worker safety and morale. With summer just heating up, it’s time to take stock of your site’s readiness.
For more in-depth guidance, explore:
● OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention resources
● National Safety Council’s National Safety Month toolkit
Need to build a cooling strategy for your team? Lawson Products can help. With hydration solutions, cooling PPE, and portable jobsite gear, we offer everything you need to stay compliant—and keep your crew moving forward, safely.
Talk to your Lawson representative today to create a custom heat safety plan that works as hard as your team does.