Introduction: Why Heat Matters at Work

Welcome. This training is about staying safe from heat at work, and it is called Heat Illness Prevention: California Employee Edition.

Picture the start of the afternoon shift in the loading yard. A coworker tells you they have a headache and feel dizzy, but they want to finish the load first. You can say nothing, ask them to take a break in the shade, or tell your supervisor.

The following topics help you recognize heat illness and use the protections your employer provides:

• How heat affects your body and what raises the risk, so you can spot trouble early
• Water, shade and rest, so you know what your employer must give you
• Getting used to the heat, so you know why new workers get extra attention
• Working outdoors and indoors, so you know which rules fit your job
• Speaking up and emergencies, so you know how to report signs and get help

Which of these five covers what you do when a coworker says they feel dizzy?

Speaking up and emergencies. The rest of the training builds on one idea: heat illness can progress quickly from mild signs to serious and life-threatening illness, so acting early matters. Here’s where each topic shows up at work: