Protect Yourself and Workers from Heat Stress
Workers who are exposed to extreme heat or work in hot environments may be at risk of heat stress. Construction workers are particularly susceptible to heat exposure due to long hours outside or working in rooms without climate control.
Heat stress can result in heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps or heat rashes. Heat can also increase the risk of injuries in workers as it may result in sweaty palms, fogged-up safety glasses and dizziness. Burns may also occur from accidental contact with hot surfaces, like overheated tools.
Ensuring that your body is regularly hydrated and protected from the sun during hot months is essential to maintaining balance for performing well at work. Workers need to be especially diligent in monitoring their heat levels now as COVID-19 safety protocols call for increased use of face coverings and spending more time outdoors.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has extensive resources to help keep workers safe in high-heat environments. The NIOSH resources include tips on how to recognize and prevent heat-related illness, how to acclimatize to heat, and a section on dealing with increased heat burden while wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) like face coverings, boots and gloves.
NIOSH has also teamed up with OSHA on a Heat Safety Tool app that can be downloaded to any smartphone. The app features real-time heat index and hourly forecasts, specific a user's location, as well as occupational safety and health recommendations from OSHA and NIOSH.
NAHB also has resources to keep residential construction workers safe in the heat. Visit the Heat Stress Video Toolbox Talk for a video and downloadable resources to help beat the heat.
The home building industry is booming right now thanks, in part, to the tireless efforts of NAHB and HBAs. But don't let the rapid pace of construction prevent you from protecting yourself and workers in the extreme summer heat.
For more information on safety resources, visit nahb.org.
Latest from NAHBNow
Legal
Mar 06, 2026
NAHB Commends Court Ruling Vacating HUD 2021 IECC MandateNAHB Chairman Bill Owens issued the following statement after the Eastern District Court of Texas issued its decision in a lawsuit brought by NAHB and 15 states challenging the legality of the HUD and USDA rule imposing the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code and the 2019 ASHRAE 90.1 standard on certain housing programs.
Membership
Mar 06, 2026
Bill Truex Seeks Certification as a Candidate for 2028 NAHB Third Vice ChairmanThe NAHB Nominations Committee announces that Bill Truex, president, Truex Preferred Construction in Englewood, FL, has submitted his Letter of Intent to seek certification as a candidate for NAHB 2028 Third Vice Chairman.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Mar 06, 2026
U.S. Economy Loses 92,000 Jobs in FebruaryThe U.S. labor market weakened in February, as payroll employment declined and the unemployment rate rose to 4.4%. The cooling labor market could place the Federal Reserve in a challenging position as policymakers weigh slower job growth against inflation pressures from rising oil prices.
Economics
Mar 05, 2026
Builders Identify Key Long-Term Forces Shaping Housing Demand and Industry HealthHome builders are keenly aware of the complex long-term outlook ahead for the home building industry. A recent NAHB/Wells Fargo HMI survey asked builders to assess the impact of 14 major trends and forces on the health of the industry and housing demand over the next 10 years.
Economics
Mar 05, 2026
Affordability Posts Mild Gains in Second Half of 2025 but Crisis ContinuesThough new and existing homes remain largely unaffordable, the needle moved slightly in the right direction in the second half of 2025, according to the latest data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Cost of Housing Index (CHI).