Heat and cold stress awareness

Skills you'll practise

• Recognize the signs of heat stroke, heat exhaustion, rhabdomyolysis, heat syncope, heat cramps and heat rash
• Explain why new and returning workers need acclimatization, and check a schedule against NIOSH's guidance
• Apply water, rest, shade and buddy checks during hot work, and report heat concerns through the site process
• Choose the right first response to a heat or cold illness, including when to call emergency services
• Recognize warning signs of hypothermia and frostbite and the main ways to prevent cold stress

Course outline

1. 1.Heat and cold stress awarenessVideo · 3 min
2. 2.How heat harms the bodyLesson · 17 min
3. 3.Preventing heat illnessLesson · 17 min
4. 4.Responding, and cold stressLesson · 16 min
5. 5.Heat and cold stress awareness: knowledge checkKnowledge check · 22 questions
6. 6.Heat and cold stress awareness: practical exerciseKnowledge check · 1 question
7. 7.Final exam8 questions · passing it completes the course, so people who already know the material can test out

Sources it draws on

The lessons and questions are written from these references, so learners can go back to the original.

• NIOSH: Heat-related illnesses (symptoms and first aid)
• NIOSH: Heat stress recommendations (acclimatization schedules, hydration, buddy system)
• OSHA: Heat exposure (Water. Rest. Shade.; General Duty Clause; new and returning workers)
• OSHA: Heat injury and illness prevention rulemaking (proposed rule published 30 August 2024)
• HSE: Temperature in the workplace, employer guidance (UK)
• NIOSH: Cold stress (types of cold-related illness, prevention)
• CDC: Preventing hypothermia and frostbite (warning signs, what to do)
• Your employer's safety procedures, risk assessments and site rules (these govern)