United States                  EPA 750-F-9S-001
 Environmental Protection Agency    September 1995
 Prevention, Pesticides and
 Toxic Substances (75060)

 Occupational Safety and Health Administration
         Controlling Heat Stress
               In Agriculture

 KEY ELEMENTS
 1. Drinking enough water to replace body fluid
   lost through sweating.

 2. Gradually adjusting to working in the heat.

 3. Taking periodic  rest breaks in a shaded or air-
   conditioned area whenever possible.

 4. Monitoring by supervisors of environmental
   conditions and workers.
BASIC STEPS


• Training in how to control heat stress and to
recognize, prevent, and treat heat illnesses.

s Accounting for the weather, workload,
protective gear to be worn, and condition of the
workers.

• Determining minimum amounts of water
workers should drink.

• Adjusting work practices for the conditions of
each day.

• Giving first aid when workers become ill.

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INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITIES

a Carrying out instructions and training for
controlling heat stress, including being alert to
signs of heat illness in yourself and others.

• Drinking enough water before, during, and
after work.

a Reporting  and responding to heat stress
problems.
a Personal health, not using drugs, getting
adequate rest and sleep.
Taken from EPA/OSHA's "A Guide to Heat Stress in
Agriculture." This card is also available in Spanish.
The full Heat Stress Guide is available from the U.S.
Government Printing Office (document number 055-
000-00474-9). An English/Spanish summary chart is
also available  (document number 055-000-00544-3).
For additional copies of this card in English, refer to
document number 055-000-00557-5; in Spanish,
document number 055-000-00558-3. To order, write
GPO, Superintendent of  Documents, Washington, DC
20402, or call (202) 512-1800.
&EPA

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