Safety resource 10 / 15
Heat Illness Prevention
Heat planning covers water, shade, rest, acclimatization and emergency response—outdoors and inside buildings where the cooling is off.
Four heat thresholds to recognize
Quick-reference overview. The actual project scope, site conditions, qualified evaluations and applicable requirements control.
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Fresh, cool drinking water for the whole shift, free and close to the work. Workers are reminded to drink it, not just told where it is.
Outdoors, shade is set up close to the work and big enough for everyone on break at once. Below 80°F it is provided on request, and anyone can take a cool-down rest when they ask.
Pre-shift meetings on the heat plan, closer watch on the crew, frequent water reminders and a named person to call for emergency help.
Inside a building, the indoor heat standard applies at 82°F and cool-down areas are kept below it. Interior demolition with the cooling shut off can get there fast.
We record temperature and heat index, then add fans, cooling or work-rest schedules. For crews in coveralls or near radiant heat, this starts at 82°F.
Project planning snapshot
- KnowForecast, heat advisories, building cooling status and crew acclimatization.
- VerifyWater supply, shade, written plan and who calls for emergency help.
- ControlEarly start times, rest breaks, ventilation, cooling and task phasing.
- RecordIndoor temperature and heat index readings, training and pre-shift meetings.
Fun facts
Three details worth remembering
- A heat wave counts below 95°F
A day at least 80°F and 10°F above the prior five-day average high puts the whole crew under close observation.
- Coveralls lower the indoor trigger
With clothing that restricts heat removal, indoor controls start at 82°F instead of 87°F, which matters for abatement work.
- Shade has to cool
A canopy over hot, still air or a vehicle parked in the sun does not count as shade.
Read the detailed planning guidanceConcise, source-grounded project considerations
Plan around the forecast and the building
Check the forecast and any National Weather Service or county heat warnings before setting the schedule. Interior demolition with the HVAC shut off can run hotter than outdoors. Move heavy work to early hours and phase tasks so the hottest part of the day carries the lightest work.
Provide water, shade and rest
Provide at least one quart of water per worker per hour for the full shift, fresh, cool and close to the work. Put shade up when it is over 80°F, large enough for everyone on break at once. Any worker can take a preventative cool-down rest when they ask, and is watched for symptoms while resting.
Acclimatize and observe
New and newly assigned workers are closely observed for their first 14 days in the heat, and the whole crew during a heat wave. Observation can be a supervisor watching 20 or fewer workers, a buddy system, or regular radio or phone contact.
Control indoor heat and plan the emergency response
Indoors, measure and record temperature and heat index once it reaches 87°F, or 82°F with restrictive clothing or radiant heat, then add ventilation, cooling or work-rest schedules. Name who calls 911, post the site address, keep access open and never leave a worker with symptoms alone.
Primary references
Requirements can depend on the task, employer, location, project documents and actual field conditions.
SoCal Removal is a licensed demolition and environmental contractor—not an industrial hygienist, testing laboratory, engineer, attorney or regulatory agency.
Planning summer work? Set the schedule with us.
Work hours, phasing and building cooling decide how much heat the crew takes on.
Send us
- Target dates and work hours
- Building cooling and utility status
- Access and staging photos
We review
- Work-hour and phasing options
- Shade, water and cooling logistics
- Schedule risk from heat advisories