645 Heat Injury and Illness Prevention: Employee

Nevada Requirements

Application & Scope

This section supplements OSHAcademy Course 645: Heat Injury and Illness Prevention (Employee) and is designed to align the training with Nevada OSHA's Heat Regulation (R131-24), which took effect April 29, 2025. For more in-depth review or questions about the regulation please click on the link below:

• R131-24 – Nevada OSHA's Heat Regulation

Heat illness is defined as a medical condition resulting from the inability of the body to cope with a particular heat load and includes, without limitation, heat cramps, heat rash, heat exhaustion, fainting and heat stroke.

Who Must Comply

Exemptions and special conditions

• Employers with 10 or fewer employees are exempt from the specific written job-hazard-analysis/training/program provisions of R131-24AP — but are still required to comply with the general duty under Nevada Revised Statute §618.375 to provide a safe workplace.
• The regulation does not apply to employees who work indoors in a climate-controlled environment (including motor vehicles with properly functioning climate control systems) unless the system fails or becomes ineffective.
• The rule applies to all industries under Nevada OSHA's jurisdiction (private, state and local government employers), except where other statutory exclusions apply (e.g., federal employers, railroads, mining under exclusive federal jurisdiction).

Hazard Identification & Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)

Nevada defines occupational exposure to heat illness broadly—any working condition that creates a reasonable likelihood of heat-related illness.

Employers covered by R131-24 must conduct a one-time written Job Hazard Analysis (updated as needed when tasks or conditions change). The JHA must:

• Identify job classifications where a majority of employees may reasonably be expected to experience heat-illness exposure for more than 30 minutes in any 60-minute period, excluding breaks
• Identify tasks and procedures where heat exposure may occur
• Consider relevant factors, including:
  • Air temperature
  • Humidity
  • Radiant heat
  • Conductive heat
  • Air movement
  • Duration and severity of physical work
  • Required clothing or PPE

Note: R131-24 does not set numeric temperature, heat index, or WBGT thresholds. Compliance is risk-based, not temperature-triggered.

Controls & Written Program Requirements

If the JHA identifies potential heat-illness exposure, the employer must update its written safety program and designate a person responsible for:

• When an employee is experiencing signs or symptoms of heat illness that require an emergency response:
  • Call 911 (or your local emergency number) right away — or make sure someone else calls
  • As quickly as possible, provide emergency responders with all information necessary to locate the employee (e.g., including contact details and precise directions)
  • If needed, move the worker (or arrange transport) to a safer, more accessible spot so emergency responders can reach them quickly
• Monitor the working conditions that could create occupational exposure to heat illness
• Carry out the provisions of the written safety program that address occupational exposure to heat illness

The updated safety program must include provisions for:

• Potable water (per 29 CFR 1926.51(a)(1)/1910.141 definitions)
• A rest break when an employee exhibits signs/symptoms of heat illness
• Means of cooling for employees
• Monitoring of conditions likely to create exposure (practicable exceptions for highway vehicle loading/unloading)
• Identification and mitigation of processes that add heat or humidity
• Training for employees in JHA-identified job classifications to reduce the risk of heat illness on the job
• Emergency response procedures for suspected heat illness

All implemented measures must reasonably mitigate the risk for affected employees.

Employee Training

Employers must provide training for employees in job classifications identified in the JHA as having potential heat-illness exposure. Training must ensure employees can:

• Recognize the signs, symptoms, and hazards of heat illness
• Understand and follow the procedures in the employer's written safety program designed to reduce heat-related risks

This training is in addition to any general safety training already required by the employer.

Climate-Controlled Environment Exemption

Sections 5–8 (JHA, written-program controls, training, and "reasonable mitigation") do not apply to employees who work indoors in a climate-controlled environment, including motor vehicles with a properly functioning climate control system.

If climate control becomes ineffective, the employer must:

• Attempt to restore the system as soon as practicable
• Implement appropriate interim protective measures until restored

Emergency Response

If a worker shows signs or symptoms of possible heat illness, the employer must:

• Implement the heat-illness provisions of the written safety program
• Ensure the designated person (or designee):
  • Monitors the employee
  • Determines whether medical attention is needed
  • Contacts EMS promptly, providing clear directions to reach the employee
  • Arranges for transport if necessary

Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) & Higher Standards

Employers may exceed the regulation's protections; CBAs cannot waive or reduce the rule's requirements, and nothing in the rule relieves an employer of contractual CBA obligations. A copy of the CBA must be made available upon request by the Nevada Division of Industrial Relations.

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