Responding to Heat Stroke: Quick Action with the T.A.C.O. Method
Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition that can escalate rapidly.
HEAT STRESS SAFETY
PREVENTING HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES AND INJURIES
How Heat Stress Happens
- Body’s means of controlling its internal temperature starts to fail
- Once body temps reach 99.7°F (37.6°C), heat stress has begun to affect the body
- Severe illness occurs when body temperature reaches 104°F (40°C)
Confusion
Headaches, Mood Change
Feeling Sick
Pale and/or Clammy Skin
Painful Spasms
Weakness
Painful Spasms
Red blisters, bumps, itching
Signs of heat stress, common heat-related illness & suggested treatments
What does heat stress do to the body? Keep an eye out for these major symptoms and know how to treat them.
Heat Rash
How it happens: Sweat ducts become clogged and sweat can’t get to the surface of the skin
How to treat it: Keep the skin dry and rest in a cool place
Heat Cramps
How it happens: Salt and moisture levels are depleted through excessive perspiration
How to treat it: Move to a cool, shaded area, apply something cool, drink plenty of fluids
Heat Exhaustion
How it happens: Prolonged exposure to high temps and poor hydration
How to treat it: Move to a cool, shaded area, apply something cool, drink fluids and monitor
Heat Stroke
How it happens: When the body becomes unable to control its core body temperature
How to treat it: Seek medical attention immediately
Hazardous heat can impair job tasks related to complex cognitive function and also reduce decision-making abilities and productivity. Additionally, a growing body of evidence has demonstrated that these heat-induced impairments may result in significant occupational injuries that are not currently factored into assessments of the health hazards resulting from occupational heat exposure.
OSHA Heat Stress Standards
OSHA’s National Emphasis Program (NEP) for Heat is the agency’s first nationwide enforcement measure to protect millions of outdoor and indoor workers from the increasing threat of heat-related illness.
In September of 2021, the US Department of Labor announced enhanced, expanded measures to protect workers from hazards of extreme heat, including the deployment of a National Emphasis Program (NEP).
WHAT IS THE NEP FOR HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS?
In September of 2021, the US Department of Labor announced enhanced, expanded measures to protect workers from hazards of extreme heat, including the deployment of a National Emphasis Program (NEP).
Preventing Heat Stress In The Workplace: What OSHA Suggests
Get to know the simple yet crucial elements guiding the agency's efforts to protect workers from the heat.
The basics as prescribed by OSHA
From OSHA's mouth to your ears. These three words have long been the agency's straightforward prescription for safety in the swelter.
WATER
REST
SHADE
Water
Workers must have access to fresh, pure and suitably cool water at all times, which means the water needs to be cooler than ambient air.
Ways to Hydrate
Rest
More frequent and shorter periods of heat exposure are better than fewer, longer exposures. New employees and those returning from long absences should be especially mindful of work to rest ratio.
Rest Station Essentials
Shade
Workers in high heat conditions need a place that will block the direct sunlight and give them a place to rest, get hydrated and keep cool.
Portable Shade Solutions
Go Beyond Water, Rest, Shade
Heat Stress Cooling Solutions: Beyond Water, Rest, Shade
Get to know the simple yet crucial elements guiding the agency's efforts to protect workers from the heat.
“Body cooling is one of the most underutilized strategies. If [workers] have some sort of body cooling such as vests... that is going to be huge [in helping] them tolerate the heat.”
You Need Coolin’
Along with the biggies of water, rest and shade, experts recommend cooling PPE as a simple way to maintain safe body and skin temps throughout the shift.
What Cooling Gear is Right for Me?
WET EVAPORATIVE COOLING
DRY EVAPORATIVE COOLING
PHASE CHANGE COOLING
The King of Cool
By proclamation of the noble patrons of the worksite realm, let it be known far and wide: others may dabble, but we, purveyors of the finest protective gear in all the land, have ascended to the throne with a heat stress selection that reigns supreme.
Cooling Towels
Feeling like a human salt lick? Instantly transform sweat and water into hours of sweet cooling relief. It’s not magic, it’s science!
Cooling Hats, Headbands & Gaiters
Sop up sweat to turn hot n’ bothered into heat-beating happiness—because keeping your cool (and keeping perspiration out of your eyes) is not only smart, it’s safe.
Cooling Hard Hat Accessories
Tell hard hat heat to take a hike. Integration-ready cooling liners and sweatbands prove that cool and compliant don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
Cooling Shirts, Sleeves & Gloves
Cover up, cool down and work smart in our cooling shirts, sleeves and gloves—the frostiest fashion statement under the sun.
Cooling Vests
When the gig flips you from frying pan to fire, cooling vests deploy advanced tech to keep you cool to the core.
Hydration Backpacks, Coolers & Bottles
Industrial coolers, hydration packs and water bottles for a convenient source of cool, clean refreshment that encourages crews to keep on chuggin’.
Heat Stress Training & Resources
Carelessness, machismo and misinformation are at the center of thousands of heat-related injuries every year. The good news? They’re 100% preventable with a little training, planning and common sense.
Heat Stress Videos
Does Cooling PPE Work Indoors?
The TACO Method: Life-Saving Heat Relief
Understanding OSHA's National Emphasis Program for Heat Stress
Heat Stress Blog Articles
Pulse Points: Your Hot Spots For Cooling Relief
Did you know your body comes with a nifty, built-in heat stress hack? Yup. When the world goes volcanic, you've got a trick up your (cooling) sleeve, thanks to a few strategic spots known as pulse points.
Evaporative vs. Moisture-Wicking Cooling: Which One Works for You?
With so many “cooling” wearable options out there, it can feel overwhelming to choose the cooling products that work for you, your environment and your needs. So, how do you know which one is right for you?
OSHA Heat Stress Standard: An Overview of OSHA’s National Emphasis Program for Heat-Related Illnesses
OSHA’s National Emphasis Program for Outdoor and Indoor Heat-Related Hazards was recently launched with the goal of protecting millions of workers from heat-related illness. Here’s what it means for you.
Preventing Heat Stress at Work: Your Guide to Heat Stress Risks & Solutions
Weather patterns are changing. The planet’s getting warmer. Since the 1980s, each decade has been hotter than the last—with the warmest seven years on record all occurring since 2015. To best protect your crew against the rising risk of heat stress, it’s critical to better understand heat-related illnesses, warning signs and solutions for mitigating them.
Covering Up + Staying Cool In the Heat
Worksite sizzling in the sun? Learn how to properly prepare & properly dress before taking on the scorching jobsite.
Heat Stress Toolbox Talks
How to Prevent Dehydration in the Heat - Toolbox Talks
In 2014, OSHA kicked off an annual campaign to train and educate workers about heat stress management called Water. Rest. Shade. Use this Toolbox Talk to brief workers on the signs/symptoms of dehydration, as well as effective hydration strategies.
Warning Signs and Symptoms of Heat-Related Illness – Toolbox Talks
If it seems like summers have been getting hotter and more extreme, you’re right. On average, summers over the past decade have been hotter on average and bring more heat waves with temperatures that fall into the “extremely hot” category. This presents a challenge for you as you look to keep your workers safe in extreme weather.
Why Shaded Areas are Important For Breaks at Work - Toolbox Talks
In 2014, OSHA kicked off an annual campaign to train and educate workers about heat stress management called Water. Rest. Shade. Focused on shade, this Toolbox Talk can help you educate your crew on the importance of periodically seeking shelter from the sun during the workday.
Heat Stress Toolbox Talk Worksheets
Heat Stress Guides & Documents
Oct. 31, 2023
OSHA Warehousing & Distribution NEP - Fact Sheet
Jan. 28, 2025
Heat Stress Handbook: Complete Cooling Catalog (99897)
Jan. 17, 2025
2025 Heat Stress Solutions Card (99817)
Jun. 8, 2023
Heat Stress Essentials
Feb. 16, 2024
Chill-Its Cooling Vest Comparison Chart - Flyer
Heat Stress Freebies
Feb. 13, 2024
Heat Stress Poster: Outsmart the Swelter (99841)