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646 Heat Injury and Illness Prevention: Supervisor Skip to main content

Supervisor Responsibilities

  • Program Implementation: Ensure the heat-stress management program is in place and covers all areas under your supervision.
  • Risk Reduction: Put procedures into practice that lower the chance of heat-related illness (e.g., adjust work pace, rotate tasks).
  • Awareness of Risk Factors: Understand how personal, metabolic (work intensity), and environmental (temperature, humidity) factors affect heat stress.
  • Access to Fluids & Shade: Make sure workers have ample cool drinking water or electrolyte drinks, and access to shaded or cool rest areas.
  • Training Verification: Confirm that all team members receive and complete documented heat-illness training.
  • Ongoing Monitoring: Watch workers during hot shifts to catch any signs of heat illness; keep track of who's on duty throughout the shift.
  • Emergency Response: Know how to recognize heat-illness emergencies and carry out first-aid and emergency procedures immediately.
  • Proactive Adjustments: When high heat or unacclimatized workers are present, follow the written plan's steps (such as modifying schedules or adding breaks) to prevent heat stress.

Employee Responsibilities

  • Follow the Program: Adhere to all policies and procedures in the company's heat-stress management plan.
  • Report Hazard Sources: Point out heat-risk factors and help update the employer's jobsite checklist.
  • Know the Risk: Be aware of any personal health conditions that could increase an employee's heat-illness risk and discuss them with a healthcare provider if needed.
  • Speak Up: Let your supervisor know if shade or water supplies are insufficient.
  • Buddy Monitoring: Employees monitor both themselves and their co-workers for early symptoms of heat illness, and report any signs promptly.
  • Seek Help Early: Get first-aid at the first sign of heat illness — or call 911 if it becomes severe.
Supervisors shall put procedures into practice that lower the chance of heat-related illness.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

4-2. Which responsibility is part of a supervisor's role in managing heat stress?