Rising temperatures can put employees at risk for heat illnesses. When the body is unable to cool itself by sweating, heat illnesses such as heat stress, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke may occur. Symptoms range from mild and easily correctable to severe and potentially life-threatening.
The United States Postal Service® (USPS®) implemented the Heat Illness Prevention Program (HIPP) to protect employees from heat illnesses and to educate them on how to stay safe during hot weather. HIPP is triggered during the period of April 1 through October 31, and at any other time when weather reports issued by the National Weather Service (NWS)1 for a particular work location indicate that outdoor heat index temperatures are expected to exceed 80° Fahrenheit during the course of a workday or work shift.
High temperatures and humidity, direct sun or heat, limited air movement, physical exertion, poor physical condition, and some medicines are also contributing factors to heat illnesses. Heat illnesses and deaths are preventable when employees recognize the symptoms and know what to do.
Heat stroke, the most serious illness caused by heat stress, occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature or cool itself down. When this takes place, the body can experience major physical disabilities or in the most severe cases, death.
Heat exhaustion is severe dehydration due to the loss of water through sweating.
Heat syncope is fainting due to dehydration or lack of acclimatization to hot environments.
Heat cramps occur when the body sweats excessively and depletes the muscles of proper nutrients, causing the muscles to tense.
Heat rash is a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating.
If an employee experiences signs of heat-related illness, they must seek immediate medical assistance by calling 9–1-1. Also, here are some proactive tips to beat the heat:
n Hydrate before, during, and after work. Prevention is important — drink at least 8 ounces of water every 20 minutes.
n Dress appropriately for the weather. On warm days, wear light-colored, loose-fitting, and breathable clothing to keep your body temperature down.
n Use the shade to stay cool. When possible, use shaded areas to stay out of direct sunlight.
Employees who have difficulty breathing or experience discomfort as a result of the heat while wearing a face covering must remove the covering until the discomfort ceases. However, if employees remove their face coverings, they must practice social distancing while in contact with others, and sneeze or cough into their elbow or into a tissue.
For more information about preventing heat illnesses, review the following resources:
n HERO Safety talk: Heat Illness Prevention Program Safety Talk #2068;
n HERO Course: Heat Illness Recognition and Prevention;
n COVID-19 SUT 37: blue.usps.gov/blue/covid-19/stand-up-talks.htm;
n Safety Depends on Me videos: blue.usps.gov/corpcomm/uspstv/safety-and-health.
n Safety Resource Tools, A–Z, OSH Topics — Heat Illness Prevention: blue.usps.gov/hr/safety/heat-related-illness-prevention.htm;
n Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) website: osha.gov/heat; and
n National Safety Council website: nsc.org/home-safety/tools-resources/seasonal-safety/summer/heat.
Vehicle Sticker:
Label 128, June 2018
PSN 7690-18-000-4040
Employee Badge:
PS Form 1280, June 2019
PSN 7530-18-000-4041
— Occupational Safety and Health,
HQ Human Resources, 3-23-23
