June 2026
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Inside the June Issue |
Personal Risk Factors
and Heat Exposure
Hot work environments can be dangerous
for all workers, especially over long
periods of time. Millions of workers are
exposed to heat in their workplaces and
thousands of workers are sickened each
year from heat injuries or illnesses. Even
workers who have built up tolerance to,
or acclimated to, the heat need to be careful.
This is because some workers feel the
effects of heat differently than others. It’s
important to know what may make you
more vulnerable to heat injury and illness.
This is a guide that will help you identify which factors may cause you to be more at risk for heat injury and illness. In addition to the environment you are working in, the clothes you are wearing, and type of work activities you are doing, certain health conditions, medications, and physical and behavioral characteristics may increase your risk for heat illness and injury.
Your work environment and activities may increase your risk of heat injury and illness. In addition, you may also have one or more personal risk factors that increase your risk.
Heat Injury and Illness Risk Factors
Work Environment
A combination of environmental factors
increase your risk of heat injury and
illness. These include:
• High temperature;
• High humidity;
• Heat from hot sources (radiant heat),
such as hot tar ovens and furnaces;
• Limited movement of cooler air;
• Frequent direct sun exposure.
Work Activities
The type of work you are doing can
make you more susceptible to heat. These
factors may cause your body temperature
to increase:
• Level of physical activity and exertion;
• Clothing or protective gear that can reduce
your body's ability to cool itself;
• Inadequate rest breaks;
• Inadequate acclimatization scheduling.
Although you may be exposed to similar levels of heat and engaged in the same type of work as your coworkers, personal risk factors may cause you to be at greater risk for heat injury and illness. Ultimately, it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that the workplace is safe and healthful for workers; however, a heat injury and illness prevention plan needs the meaningful participation of workers and their representatives to be effective. Full story »
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