The health effects of working in extreme temperatures are too often unknown and underestimated. Left unaddressed, the impacts can be deadly.
As summer approaches work environments can become uncomfortable but also unsafe. Without protective measures in place or knowledge of the warning signs, workers can suffer from heat stress and heat stroke.
Outside workers are among those most highly exposed including roofers, road crews, farm workers, parks and recreation workers, landscapers, and surface miners. Indoor environments such as bakeries, food processing plants, restaurants, laundries, mines, smelters, and foundries can see temperatures rise to extreme levels, particularly in the summer months. Poorly ventilated, aging classrooms with no access to air conditioning have seen indoor temperatures rise to hazardous levels too.
Amid our climate emergency and rising global temperatures, the need for greater worker protection and specific workplace action has never been more urgent. Start with quality training.
Register for WHSC Heat & Cold Stress training.
Workers Health & Safety Centre’s
Heat & Cold Stress program offers essential awareness training. Participants will explore how the body reacts to temperature extremes and specific situations where workers may be exposed to dangerous levels of heat or cold. The lack of specific legislation protecting exposed workers is discussed along with measures for identifying and assessing potential health risks from temperature extremes. Participants will further consider the various methods of controlling exposure to temperature extremes as well as the steps involved in developing and implementing an effective action plan to reduce these hazards in their workplace.
Please note: Registration closes two weeks before each training date. Courses are filled online on a first-come, first-served basis.
REGISTER NOW
Don’t see what you need? Beyond the scheduled classes listed above, and where participant numbers warrant, we can work with you to coordinate almost any of
our training courses for all workers, workplace representatives and supervisors.
WHSC Resources
WHSC Resource Line: Heat Stress: Cool Solutions
Many Canadian workers are overexposed to solar UVR, study finds
Need more information?
Additional training:
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Additional resources
OHCOW Humidex-Based Heat Stress Calculator and Plan (Indoor Workers)
OHCOW Heat Stress Awareness Wheel Tool
CAREX Canada Solar UV Radiation Profile
Sun Safety at Work