Heat stress poster

Heat illness builds up over a shift and can turn into heat stroke, which is a medical emergency. This poster sets out OSHA's three words for prevention (water, rest, shade), the signs of heat exhaustion and of heat stroke side by side with what to do for each, and the rule NIOSH sets for new and returning workers: build up time in the heat over several days.

Download the poster

The PNG is free to download now. The print-ready vector PDFs open after a short form, once.

Download PNG (300 dpi)2550 x 3300 px, prints at 8.5 x 11 in · 449 KB · no form

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Heat stress poster — 24 x 36 in18 x 24 inA2A3LetterA4PNG 300 dpi

The words on the poster

Beat the heat

Water. Rest. Shade. And know the signs before someone collapses.

Water Drink every 15 minutes, even if not thirsty.
Rest Take breaks. More in hotter, heavier work.
Shade Cool off in a shaded or cooled area.

Heat exhaustion

Heavy sweating, cold clammy skin
Headache, dizziness, nausea
Weak, thirsty, irritable
Do: move to a cool place, loosen clothes, sip water, cool cloths. Get medical help.

Heat stroke: emergency

Confused, slurred speech
Very hot skin, may stop sweating
Fainting or seizures
Do: call the emergency number, cool them fast with water and ice, stay with them.

New or back from time off? Build up your time in the heat over several days.

Emergency number: ____

OSHA heat illness prevention. NIOSH 2016 criteria on heat and hot environments.

On the floor

How to use it

Putting the Heat stress poster to work

1
Post it in hot areas (furnaces, ovens, paint shops, docks in summer) and in break rooms.
2
Go through the two columns in a toolbox talk at the start of the hot season.
3
Fill in the emergency number before you put it up.
4
Plan heavier work for cooler hours and give new starters a lighter first week.

Where the poster goes and how to teach with it, in the order to try them.

Which size to print

24 x 36 in or A2: a main wall or team board, read from a few metres away.
18 x 24 in or A3: a station or notice board. The A3 file also fits 11 x 17 in paper.
Letter or A4: a clipboard, binder or handout, on any office printer.

Every PDF is vector, so it stays sharp at full size. Nothing runs to the edge of the page, so no bleed is needed.