Is There a Legal Limit for Working in High Heat?

Written by Staff Writer | Edited by Michael Purser

Excessive heat is extremely dangerous to the human body. Whether it’s caused by the burning rays of the sun, the stale conditions of a mine or the cooking equipment in a restaurant kitchen, rising mercury can indicate a growing risk to workers.

You have to take care of yourself when it gets hot. If your boss won’t do what is necessary to protect you and your fellow employees, it may be necessary to leave work.

The reality is that there are no hard and fast rules regarding workplace heat on the federal level. However, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to protect workers from illnesses and injuries caused by hot working conditions.

Jobsites are full of potential hazards. Unfortunately, elevated working heat levels are frequently missed — or ignored — by employers. Let’s look more closely at heat-related violation laws, workplace protections and what you can do to protect yourself and others from injury.

What Are the Regulations for Leaving Work?

There is no national regulatory heat limit for leaving a job. States may have their own laws. For example, a new indoor heat illness rule is part of workplace safety violation laws in California. It requires employers to adopt safety measures when indoor temps reach 82 degrees Fahrenheit. But federally, there are no specific limits.

That doesn’t mean you have no heat stress rights.

Regulators design workplace safety regulations to cover all sorts of hazards. The Fair Labor Standards Act sets legal working hours to avoid excessive heat strain from overwork and to ensure workers get overtime pay.

OSHA’s General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1), requires employers to “furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees,” which includes hot-environment injuries.

Generalized language is an asset in this case. OSHA heat exposure guidelines and workplace safety standards apply to a wide variety of conditions. It is difficult for regulators to apply a single hard limit for working conditions because limits may differ by individual circumstances. Some workers may be more or less tolerant of extreme heat.

Comfortable exposure also changes with experience. According to regulators, “Most outdoor fatalities, 50% to 70%, occur in the first few days of working in warm or hot environments because the body needs to build a tolerance to the heat gradually over time. The process of building tolerance is called heat acclimatization. Lack of acclimatization represents a major risk factor for fatal outcomes.”

Even though there might not be a clear-cut temperature limit for when it’s too hot to work, there are rules in place to protect you. These laws are often buried in legal jargon, but the bottom line is simple: your safety matters, and you have rights.

If the heat — or any working condition — is seriously harmful to you or your coworkers, you aren't required to tough it out. Your employer cannot legally punish you for stepping away from a dangerous situation. If you’re hurt because your employer failed to provide a safe environment, you may have grounds to pursue a personal injury claim.

Ideally, if you raise concerns about extreme heat or other unsafe conditions, your employer will take them seriously and fix the problem. If they don’t, and the danger continues, it may be safest to remove yourself from that environment.

Knowing the risks of working in high heat — and understanding what protections you’re entitled to — puts the power in your hands. The more you know, the better equipped you are to spot red flags, advocate for yourself and make choices that keep you safe.

Illnesses Caused by Hot Working Environments

Overheating the human body may result in a variety of illnesses and injuries. Regulators advise that anyone performing physical labor in a warm environment might exhibit unusual symptoms that could indicate overheating.

Some of the most common illnesses and their symptoms include:

Heat Stroke

This deadly condition is a result of a runaway heat regulation failure. Once the body loses control of its ability to cool down, a rapidly climbing core temperature can cause permanent brain damage and organ failure.

Symptoms:

• Confusion
• Slurred speech
• Unconsciousness
• Seizures
• Heavy sweating or hot, dry skin
• Very high core body temperature
• Rapid heart rate

Heat Exhaustion

While not as threatening as heat stroke, heat exhaustion results from excessive loss of water and salt, usually through sustained sweating.

Symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Thirst
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Heavy sweating
• Elevated body temperature or fast heart rate

Heat Cramps

Related to the above, a loss of fluids may cause bodily pain as muscle tissue dries out and loses flexibility.

Symptoms:

• Muscle spasms or pain
• Usually in legs, arms or trunk

Rhabdomyolysis (Muscle Breakdown)

This is an even worse form of muscle tissue damage. Extreme or prolonged loss of fluids and repeated stress can cause muscles to rupture and die. The chemicals released into the bloodstream by tissue death can result in a catastrophic cascade of immune responses that harm other organs, including the heart and kidneys.

Symptoms:

• Muscle pain
• Dark urine or reduced urine output
• Weakness

Heat Syncope

Syncope is a technical term for fainting. Disruptions to blood pressure, equilibrium or other homeostatic functions can cause victims to lose consciousness. Depending on the surrounding environment, this may lead to traumatic head injuries when a sufferer falls over.

Symptoms:

• Fainting
• Dizziness

Heat Rash

A combination of inflammatory response and friction can cause skin irritation. Severe or sustained rashes may even result in enough damage to cause bleeding.

Symptoms:

• Clusters of red bumps on the skin
• Often appears on the neck, upper chest and skin folds

Anyone who notices these symptoms should immediately administer first aid. Prompt first aid is more important than trying to diagnose the illness. Not only do many illnesses share symptoms, but they may also rapidly worsen — possibly resulting in death.

First-Aid for Overheated Workers

Although these illnesses can be dangerous and frightening for both the victim and their coworkers, first-aid treatment is relatively simple.

OSHA recommends the following first aid:

• Take the individual to a cooler area, such as a shaded area or an air-conditioned space.
• Seek to cool the subject as quickly as possible.
  • Immersion in cold water or an ice bath can rapidly cool a victim of heat stress. If possible, place all available ice in a large container with water and submerge the individual in the ice water up to the neck.
  • Remove the outer layers of clothing, especially heavy protective clothing and/or PPE.
  • Apply ice or cold, wet towels on the head, neck, trunk, armpits and groin, where major arteries pass near the surface.
  • Use fans to circulate air around the individual.
• Never leave sufferers unattended, as symptoms may quickly worsen.
• If you are in doubt, call 911!

Symptoms like slurred speech, confusion or unconsciousness are signs of serious illness. If you notice these behaviors, call 911 right away. Attempt to cool as described above until emergency workers arrive.

Pay Special Attention to New Workers

Until acclimated, new workers are especially vulnerable to major changes in working temperatures. Regulators advise employers and workers to take any symptoms seriously during the first few days someone starts a job in a hot environment.

According to OSHA, “Especially during a worker's first few days, absolutely all symptoms should be taken seriously. Workers who develop symptoms should be allowed to stop working. They should receive evaluation for possible heat-related illness.”

It takes time for people to adapt to hot conditions. Over time, they will acclimate, and their bodies will adapt. The body produces more sweat, loses less salt through perspiration and experiences other changes that safeguard bodily systems in a hot environment.

What to Do When It’s Too Hot to Work

If you feel like it is too hot to work, you can take several precautions.

1. Look for the symptoms listed above in yourself and your coworkers. If you notice any of these symptoms, take action to protect yourself and notify your employer.
2. Talk with your coworkers to see if they feel the same way. It is more effective to talk to your employer about making changes when you approach them as a group.
3. Speak with your employer about the dangerous working conditions and describe the symptoms you and others are experiencing.
4. If your employer won’t make changes to improve conditions, you can leave work to protect yourself. Notify coworkers and your employer to ensure you don’t endanger others who may stay behind or look for you.
5. Report the dangerous working conditions to regulators. You can file a confidential complaint online. Your employer is not allowed to retaliate against you for filing a complaint. If you believe your employer is trying to retaliate against you, you can file a whistleblower complaint.

Workplace Safety Courses You Can Depend On

Education is one of the most important tools at your disposal. We offer online courses that will help you identify and respond to hazards. These courses can also fulfill safety education requirements if your job requires it. Each one includes a Certificate of Completion to demonstrate your knowledge and training.

Some of our most popular courses include:

• Slips, Trips and Falls — Falling is one of the most common workplace injuries. These mishaps can be extremely dangerous. This course helps you recognize the causes of slip, trip and fall hazards and follow best practices to avoid them.
• Heat Stress — Whether you work outside on hot days or in a hot indoor environment like a foundry or bakery, you can implement proper controls and observe best practices to keep cool. This course will also teach you how to help someone suffering from heat illnesses.
• Emergency Planning— This interactive course will help you understand the requirements for emergency plans under OSHA, SARA Title III and state regulations for emergency preparedness/crisis management. You will learn how to prepare, communicate and carry out a suitable emergency plan for your facility.

Benefits of Our Online Courses

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