Seasonal Safety · 2–5 min toolbox talk
Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke Safety
A safety talk focused on recognizing, preventing, and responding to heat exhaustion and heat stroke during hot weather, outdoor work, physical labor, and high-heat conditions.
Use this printed script for your tailgate or toolbox talk. Read through the hazards, script, and questions with your crew.
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“Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke Safety”
Key Hazards
- Heat exhaustion from prolonged heat exposure
- Heat stroke, which can be life-threatening
- Dehydration and loss of electrolytes
- Delayed recognition of symptoms
- Workers pushing through heat illness signs
- Hot weather, direct sun, heavy PPE, or high physical workload increasing risk
2–3 Minute Talk Script
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can develop when the body cannot cool itself fast enough. Heat illness can happen outdoors, indoors, in vehicles, in mechanical spaces, or anywhere heat and workload are high.
Heat exhaustion symptoms may include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, cramps, fast heartbeat, thirst, or feeling faint.
Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Warning signs may include confusion, collapse, loss of consciousness, seizures, very high body temperature, or hot skin. Sweating may or may not be present.
Workers should report symptoms early. Trying to push through heat illness can make the condition worse and can put the worker at serious risk.
Prevention includes drinking water, taking breaks, using shade or cooling areas, pacing heavy work, and allowing workers to acclimate to hot conditions over time.
Supervisors and coworkers should watch for signs of heat stress, especially during the first hot days of the season, after time away from work, or when workers are wearing heavy PPE.
If heat exhaustion is suspected, the worker should be moved to a cooler area, rested, cooled, and monitored. If symptoms are severe or do not improve, medical help is needed.
If heat stroke is suspected, call emergency medical help immediately and begin cooling the worker while waiting for responders.
Safety Reminders
- Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
- Drink water before and during hot work.
- Use shade, cooling areas, and rest breaks.
- Report symptoms early.
- Watch coworkers for confusion, weakness, or collapse.
- Treat heat stroke as a medical emergency.
- Adjust workload, PPE, and pace when heat risk increases.
Ask the Crew
- What heat hazards are present today?
- Where are water, shade, and cooling areas available?
- Who is most at risk during this task?
- What symptoms mean work should stop immediately?
- What is the emergency response plan for suspected heat stroke?