Good Industrial Hygiene
An effective heat stress program does not begin and end with measurements. Sound industrial hygiene practice
includes worker training and site-specific controls. All managers and workers working in the hot environments
need to be trained on the signs and symptoms of heat stress, how to recognize problems with
themselves and coworkers, how to prevent heat injuries, and what first aid should be administered.
General and job-specific controls can be implemented once the job demands and constraints are understood.
General controls may include: medical screening for fitness; acclimating workers to the heat; allowing selflimited
exposures; encouraging healthy diets and lifestyles; and providing cool water or electrolyte replacement
drinks to encourage frequent drinking. Job specific and engineering controls may include: limiting
exposure times; moving the most strenuous tasks to cooler times of the day; reducing workloads through the use of machinery and tools; using cooling vests; shielding the heat source or providing a sun shade; or
increasing the air flow using fans.