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645 Heat Injury and Illness Prevention: Employee Skip to main content

645 Heat Injury and Illness Prevention: Employee

Types of Heat-Related Illnesses

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness and can be life-threatening. It occurs when the body's temperature rises rapidly, and it cannot cool down. Heat stroke requires immediate medical attention.

Heat Illness - Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment

Signs and Symptoms:

  • High body temperature (103°F or higher)
  • Hot, red, dry, or damp skin
  • Rapid, strong pulse
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Confusion or disorientation
  • Slurred speech
  • Loss of consciousness (fainting)
  • Seizures

Emergency Action Plan - Heat Stroke

The emergency action plan provided below may not be suitable for all employers. If that's the case, please modify the plan to meet the needs of your specific worksite.

  1. Call 911 Immediately (or your local emergency number).
  2. Move the worker to a cooler environment, if possible. Shade the worker from the sun as soon as possible.
  3. Remove outer layers of clothing, especially if the worker is wearing heavy protective clothing
  4. Immediately begin aggressively cooling down the worker's entire body by placing them in a tub or tarp (with the corners held by co-workers, filled with ice water. Using a tarp to cool the worker down is known as TACO, which means "tarp-assisted cooling with oscillation.")
  5. Ensure ice water is constantly moving around the workers body, which will help lower the worker's core body temperature.
  6. If a tub is unavailable it may be easier to place a tarp in the bed of a truck and fill it with ice water.
  7. If a tub or tarp is unavailable, place ice bags behind the neck, under the arms, and in the groin area.
  8. Observe the worker for worsening conditions and support the workers' body to maintain an open airway.
  9. Frequently monitor the worker's temperature.
  10. Keep the worker immersed in ice water until emergency medical services (EMS) arrive.
  11. Once EMS arrives, assist them if needed.
  12. Speak to other workers about the incident and check if any other workers need assistance.
Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness and can be life-threatening.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

2-4. What should you do first if you suspect someone is experiencing heat stroke?

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