In 2026, Summer officially begins on June 21stHowever, extreme heat has already been recorded this year at some times in the spring, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees in North Carolina.
It is predicted that most of North Carolina will experience at least two or three additional weeks of very hot days this summer, with temperatures of 95°F or higher.
A greater number of hotter days and nights, as well as longer heat waves, can cause serious health problems in people who work both outdoors and indoors.
Employers can prevent heat-related illnesses through a clear plan, adequate controls, and rapid action.
Below, we share information provided by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on measures that should be taken at worksites to keep workers safe from the heat.
What is the heat index?
According to the NCDHHS, the heat index alone is not sufficient to assess the risk to workers.
The heat index is the heat index obtained by combining temperature and humidity. Higher humidity makes the heat feel higher.
The following aspects should be taken into account:
- Level of effort (light work vs. heavy work)
- Time dedicated to working without breaks
- Hydration (water intake)
- heat sources direct (sun, hot equipment, vehicles)
- Health & Wellness from the workers
- Acclimatization (Is the worker already used to the heat?)
Workers at greater risk
Exposure to heat in the workplace is a concern in many occupations, both outdoors and indoors.
Outdoor workers
People who practice these professions:
- Construction
- Agricultural workers
- Gardeners
- Mail and parcel delivery
- Oil and gas well operations
Indoor workers
People who work in these professions or in these facilities:
- Bakeries, kitchens, laundries
- Electrical installations (in particular, boiler rooms)
- Fire service
- Iron and steel factories and foundries
- Manufacturing with local hot heat sources
- Storage (warehouses)
What employers should do
Employers must have a work plan in place to ensure the safety of their workers in the heat. The NCDHHS suggests the following measures:
1. Empower train all employees on the symptoms of heat-related illnesses and how to react to them.
2. Configure controls:
- Engineering: Shade, fans, cooled rest areas, air conditioning in vehicles, insulation from hot surfaces.
- Administrative: Schedule the heaviest tasks for the cooler hours, rotate jobs, shorten working periods, and add breaks.
3. Water – Rest – Shade. Let it be easy and necessary.
- Water: Encourage workers to drink a glass of water every 15-20 minutes, and not wait until they are thirsty. Provide water, ice, and glasses and place them near the work area.
- Break: Take short, frequent breaks in a cool or shady place.
- Shade/cooling: awnings, air-conditioned vehicles, fans, misting where safe.
*Put up signs and use supervisors and colleagues to remind workers.
4. Manage stress Due to the heat throughout the day. Conditions change, so the plan must change as well.
5. protect workers New hires and returning employees. Gradually increase working hours over one or two weeks.
6. Plan for emergencies. Knowing exactly who should call 911, who receives emergency services, and what information to share.
7. Never leave a worker alone If you have a heat-related illness, symptoms can worsen rapidly. Stay with him until help arrives.
Know the warning signs
The symptoms of heat-related illnesses can appear in any order. You don't need to experience all the symptoms in a category to have a heat-related illness.
Heat-related illnesses:
- Heat rash: red bumps or small blisters
- Heat cramps: muscle cramps, pain or spasms in the abdomen, arms or legs.
- Heat stroke: fainting and dizziness when standing up or repeatedly getting up from a sitting or lying position.
- Heat exhaustion: Headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, thirst, heavy sweating, and irritability.
- Heatstroke: presents confusion, altered mental state, slurred speech, loss of consciousness, hot and dry skin, seizures.
Warning signs
In the workplace, supervisors should be alert to warning signs that workers may exhibit, according to the OSHA fact sheet on first aid for heat-related illnesses:
At first: profuse sweating, thirst, fatigue, muscle cramps, headache, dizziness.
Severe (heat stroke): hot, dry, or very sweaty skin; confusion; loss of consciousness or fainting; and seizures.
What to do?
- Move to a shady or cool area and loosen your clothing.
- Cool the worker with ice packs on the neck, armpits, and groin; fan the worker.
- If he is awake and not vomiting, give him fresh water.
- Call 911 if you are confused, faint, or if symptoms do not improve quickly.
- Stay with the worker until help arrives.
You may be interested in: What are the community health centers in Chatham County?
Stay informed
North Carolina has a health alert system due to heat as part of the NCDHHS Climate and Health Program, implemented during the summer of 2024 and in use from May 1 to September 30.
Those interested in receiving alerts must complete an online form, in Spanish or English, where they must indicate their email address, the county where they live, and answer a series of general questions.
You can find more information about the alert system on the NCDHHS website.
You can find more information in Spanish (by selecting the language) about Protecting Workers from Heat-Related Illnesses, and access the online form to start receiving alerts, in the section on NCDHHS Climate and Health.
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