Manufacturing Safety Alliance of BC
Heat-related Illness

Heat-related illnesses happen when a person heats up faster than they can cool down. Symptoms range from mild to severe and can quickly escalate into a medical emergency if untreated—but you can prevent heat-related illness in most cases.

Early signs include nausea, light-headedness, fatigue, muscle cramping, and dizziness. Heat-related illness can affect everyone – even those accustomed to working in the heat. If heat exhaustion progresses to heat stroke, it is a medical emergency that, untreated, can lead to death.

Prepare to prevent heat-related illness at work with our resources.

Heat-related Illness Resources and Tools
Heat-related illnesses happen when a person heats up faster than they can cool down. Heat-related illness can affect everyone – even those accustomed to working in the heat. If heat stress progresses to heat stroke, it is a medical emergency that, untreated, can lead to death.
Toolbox Talk
Hot work is work that creates sparks or a flame (i.e. tiger torch), or a fire that must be monitored after being extinguished.
News & Blog Articles
B.C. is bracing for a dangerous, long-duration heat wave. In hot working environments—indoors or out—everyone needs to be alert for the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness and prepare in advance to reduce the risks. Heat-related illnesses happen when a...
Who does this impact? WorkSafeBC has announced that in 2024, as part of their Planned Inspections Initiative, they will be focusing inspections on the following manufacturing classification units (CUs). Historically, workers in these CUs are at higher risk for serious injury....