Working in Hot Environments Updated

Learn how to develop policies and programs for working safely in hot environments.

Thumbnail of the publication's cover — Pocket guide cover with “Working in Hot Environments” title

Snapshot of the publication's Table of Contents — Table of contents page for Working in Hot Environments

Objectives

Scope

Summary

Introduction

Section I

Legal Responsibilities to Prevent Heat Stress

Responsibilities as set out in Health and Safety Legislation
Ways of Meeting Health and Safety Responsibilities: Being Prepared

Section II

The Body’s Response to Hot Environments

The Body’s Heat Balance
Heat Exchange Between the Body and the Environment
Effect of Clothing
Individual Factors

Section III

Safety and Health Concerns

Safety Concerns
Health Concerns
Mental Health
Climate Change

Section IV

Measures of Heat Exposure

Measuring Heat Stress Exposure: The Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature Index
Environmental Measurements of Heat Exposure
Physiological Monitoring of Heat Exposure

Section V

Heat Exposure Standards and Guidelines

Occupational Exposure Limits
Thermal Comfort Guidelines for Offices

Section VI

Control Measures

Engineering Controls
Administrative Controls
Personal Protective Equipment
Sample Safe Work Practices

Section VII

Occupational Health and Safety Legislation

Canadian Occupational Health and Safety Legislation

Section VIII

Information Sources

General Health and Safety Questions
Canadian Government Departments Responsible for Occupational Health and Safety
Hot Environments Safety Resources

Section IX

Appendices

Appendix A - A summary of health hazards and preventive measures
Appendix B - Safety tips for different levels of the UV index
Appendix C - Glossary
Appendix D - Abbreviations
Appendix E - Sample heat stress policy and checklist
Appendix F - Case histories: fatalities from occupational heat exposure

Single book:: $20.00 $20.00 $20.00 $20.00 ^*

Format:: PDF

Language:: English | French

Description

Designed and written as a practical workplace training and reference tool, this 120-page pocket guide is filled with clear-language text including safety tips, charts, diagrams, checklists and illustrations.

Objectives

This guide will help health and safety committee members and representatives as well as supervisors, managers, engineers and other health and safety professionals to:

Conduct a risk assessment of heat exposure in the workplace
Identify risk factors for work in hot environments
Develop prevention programs and practices to reduce heat-related injury and illness
Plan problem-solving actions through worker and management participation
Implement hazard controls based on the most current knowledge in the field of occupational health and safety
Comply with legal requirements

Scope

The guide provides:

Practical guidance for the identification, assessment, control, and evaluation of the health and safety hazards related to working in hot environments
Applicable legislation, standards and guidelines addressing heat stress

Target Audience

This guide is a handy reference for health and safety committee members, health and safety representatives, workers, supervisors and managers. For training sessions, it serves as a practical pocket guide for future reference. This guide is helpful for workplaces and occupations associated with excessive heat exposure, including construction sites, grounds maintenance, farming, foundries, steel mills, bakeries, kitchens, dishwashing, steaming, abatement work, and glass blowing.

Each publication produced by CCOHS undergoes several stages of review. As part of this review, representatives from government, employers, and labour are requested to comment on draft copies of CCOHS documents for technical accuracy and readability.

Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information, it is understood that CCOHS makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of such information and assumes no liability for any damages or loss suffered as a result of any inaccuracy or incompleteness therein.

Version: Second edition, revised
Publication date: October 2025

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CCOHS publications are unique in that they are developed by subject specialists in the field, and reviewed by representatives from labour, employers and government to ensure the content and approach are unbiased and credible.