Extreme Heat | Ready.gov (2024)

FAQs

What temperature is considered a heat emergency? ›

Patients with heatstroke have a complete loss of thermoregulation, a core temperature greater than 40.5 degrees C (105 degrees F) and impaired mental status. These critically ill patients must be cooled quickly to 39 degrees C (102 degrees F) to avoid devastating complications.

While there are no specific federal regulations about working in extreme cold or heat, you do have a right to a workplace “free from recognized hazards .” That includes exposure to extreme cold and heat. Some states do have more rigorous rules regarding heat, and you can find the state plans here .

According to the new standards, all indoor places of employment where the temperature reaches 82 degrees Fahrenheit or above must comply with regulations around access to water, cool-down areas, acclimatization, training, and more.

In most of the United States, extreme heat is a long period (2 to 3 days) of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees.

The Emergency Heat or Auxiliary Heat setting is the second stage of your heating system that is used when the temperature is too low for the heat pump to be able to remove heat from outside, typically below 35 degrees Fahrenheit.

So, to sum up everything that we just covered, emergency heat is not supposed to run the way that your regular heat setting does—and it is especially not meant to run all day and night during the long, frosty winter months.

OSHA does not set specific temperatures at which workers can refuse to work. However, workers have the right to refuse work that they believe poses an imminent danger of death or serious harm, including unsafe heat conditions.

It's illegal for your employer to retaliate against you (such as fire you) for reporting heat hazards that threaten your safety or health. So while you may not necessarily be able to walk out of work, you could have a legal claim against your employer.

Employees who work in traditional office environments have a lower risk of indoor heat exposure, and although there is no standard related to indoor office temperature, the OSHA technical manual recommends employers maintain workplace temperatures in the range of 68-76 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity control in the ...

When the temperature equals or exceeds 95 degrees, employers must provide one 10-minute "preventative cool-down rest period" every 2 hours. During the first 8 hours of a shift, the cool-down periods may be provided at the same time as the rest periods.

Is temperature an OSHA violation? ›

OSHA has no regulations specifically addressing temperature and humidity in an office setting. However, Section III, Chapter 2, Subsection V of the OSHA Technical Manual, "Recommendations for the Employer," provides engineering and administrative guidance to prevent or alleviate indoor air quality problems.

Limit outdoor exercise to 30 minutes at a time.

Even if you're a seasoned athlete, you should not exercise in temperatures that feel higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Researchers investigated when the body starts exerting more energy to keep itself cool at high temperatures. They found that this upper-temperature limit lies between 40℃ (104F) and 50℃ (122F) when the human body stops functioning optimally.

- Normal core body temperature is around 98 degrees Fahrenheit, but running in the heat on average will bring that up to between 101 and 103 degrees Fahrenheit. Remember, once you hit 104, you're at risk for heat stroke.

“Generally, caution should be taken if the heat index is over 77 degrees (Fahrenheit). Above 82 degrees is considered 'extreme caution' — heat-related illness is possible with long exposure. Over 85 is dangerous — heat illness is likely and heat stroke is possible.

Numbers that are cause for concern: 105°F – Go to the emergency room. 103°F or higher – Contact your health care provider. 101°F or higher – If you're immunocompromised or over 65 years of age, and are concerned that you've been exposed to COVID-19, contact your health care provider.

In heat exhaustion, your body temperature may rise to 101°F (38.3°C) to 104°F (40°C). This can make you feel weak and dizzy. Your heart may not be able to pump enough blood.

Thermostat. Emergency Heat should be listed under Equipment. If it is, it will say Off or On. There should also be Emergency heat type and Emergency heat source listed under "System details."