AIHA Releases Updated Heat Stress App for Indoor and Outdoor Workers

AIHA recently announced the release of Heat Stress App 2.0, a free mobile application to help indoor and outdoor workers monitor and stay aware of risk factors for heat stress in their workplace. Users of the app enter details about their work environment—heat, humidity, time of day, workload, location, etc. to calculate the user's risk factor for heat stress. 

The app provides users with resources about heat stress prevention measures, warning signs, and best practices for acclimating to heat in the workplace. The newly updated app considers factors like indoor temperature, relative humidity, non-solar heat irradiance, wind speed, workload intensity, and clothing worn by the indoor worker. 

Heat Stress = Lost Worktime, Decreased Productivity

Heat stress has a strong negative impact on productivity in the workplace. According to AIHA, heat and heat stress contribute to billions of dollars in lost worktime and declines in productivity. In fact, implementing certain measures that protect workers from heat stress can also greatly increase productivity.

How do you protect your workers and maintain productivity?

• Provide rest and shade.
• Start work earlier in the day.
• Provide workers with water.
• Train employees and supervisors on symptoms and prevention, and plan for emergencies.
• Monitor workers for illness.

Protect Your Workers from Heat Hazards

The signs of heat-related illnesses may seem obvious. However, the symptoms can mimic numerous other, much less serious conditions. Don’t leave your team’s safety to chance!

Lion’s Heat Illness Prevention – Supervisors course prepares supervisors to recognize and protect their teams from the effects of heat stress, heat stroke, and heat exhaustion, among other injuries and illness associated with heat. The course is available online, so you can learn at your own pace and earn useful resources you can save, print, and keep.