Heat Illness Prevention Plan
Document Control Company: [COMPANY NAME] · Logo: [COMPANY LOGO] · Address: [COMPANY ADDRESS] Prepared by: [RESPONSIBLE PERSON] · Date: [DATE] · Approved by (signature): _________________
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Category | Heat and Cold Stress |
| Recommended Industry | All (outdoor / hot environments) |
| Document Type | Plan |
| Access Level | Pro |
| Last Reviewed | 2026-06-29 |
| Last Updated | 2026-06-29 |
How to Use This Template
Customize this plan for your company and the conditions your crews work in. Train supervisors and employees on it before hot weather, post or share the emergency steps, and put the daily checklist into your routine on hot days. Heat-illness rules vary by state and some states have specific heat standards — confirm what applies to you. Review and customize based on applicable federal, state, local, client, and project-specific requirements.
Heat Illness Prevention Plan
1. Purpose & Scope
This plan describes how [COMPANY NAME] protects employees from heat-related illness during work in hot indoor or outdoor environments. It applies to [all field employees / specific crews].
2. Responsibilities
- Management: Provide water, shade/rest resources, and training; support the plan.
- Supervisors: Monitor conditions and employees, enforce water/rest/shade, adjust work as heat rises, and respond to symptoms.
- Employees: Drink water regularly, take breaks, watch coworkers, and report symptoms early.
3. Water
Provide cool, potable drinking water. Encourage drinking small amounts often (e.g., about one cup every 15–20 minutes). Keep water close to the work area and refill before it runs out. Target supply: [specify quantity per employee per shift].
4. Rest & Shade
Provide access to shade or a cooler area for rest breaks. Allow and encourage preventive cool-down rest breaks when employees feel the need. Increase break frequency as temperature and workload rise. Shade location(s): [____].
5. Acclimatization
New employees and those returning from time away are at higher risk. Gradually increase workload/exposure over the first several days, and watch them and all employees closely during heat waves. (See the Heat Acclimatization Plan.)
6. High-Heat Practices (customize triggers)
When conditions reach [your trigger — e.g., a set temperature/heat index], take added steps:
- Increase the frequency of water and rest reminders.
- Maintain effective communication and observation (buddy system / supervisor checks).
- Pre-shift briefing on heat illness and the day's plan.
- Adjust schedules (earlier starts, more breaks) where feasible.
7. Recognizing & Responding to Heat Illness
| Condition | Common Signs | Response |
|---|---|---|
| Heat exhaustion | Heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, headache | Move to shade/cool area, give water, cool the body, rest, monitor; seek medical help if not improving |
| Heat stroke (emergency) | Confusion, slurred speech, hot/dry or wet skin, fainting, seizures | Call 911 immediately. Move to cool area and cool aggressively (water, ice, fanning) while waiting for help |
Never leave a person with serious symptoms alone. When in doubt, call for emergency help.
8. Emergency Procedures
- Emergency number: 911 Company contact: [NAME / PHONE]
- Know each jobsite's address and nearest medical facility (record on the site plan).
- Means to summon help and provide clear directions to the site.
9. Training
Train supervisors and employees on heat hazards, this plan, water/rest/shade, acclimatization, symptom recognition, and emergency response. Document training on the training log.
10. Review
Review this plan at least annually and before each hot season, and update it when conditions or requirements change.
Daily tool: Use the Heat Stress Daily Checklist and Water/Rest/Shade Checklist on hot days.
Company Customization Needed
- Set your specific high-heat triggers, water quantities, and shade arrangements.
- Confirm whether your state has a specific heat standard and incorporate its requirements.
- Identify per-jobsite emergency information (address, nearest medical facility, directions).
- Review and customize based on applicable federal, state, local, client, and project-specific requirements.
- Train employees and supervisors and keep the records.
Last Reviewed / Last Updated
- Last Reviewed: 2026-06-29
- Last Updated: 2026-06-29
- Next Review Due: [SET DATE — at least annually / before hot season]
Disclaimer
This document is a general safety template and educational resource. It is not legal advice, does not replace a site-specific hazard assessment, and does not guarantee compliance with OSHA or any federal, state, or local requirement. Employers are responsible for reviewing, customizing, implementing, training employees on, and maintaining their own safety programs and records. Consult a qualified safety professional, legal counsel, or regulatory authority when needed.
Template ID: heat-illness-prevention-plan · Editable master (Markdown). Export to Word/PDF for distribution. Access level: Pro.