If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Stop work and move to shade, a cooled vehicle or an air-conditioned space.
- 2Call 911 for confusion, slurred speech, fainting, seizures, hot skin, vomiting that won't stop, or if symptoms aren't improving.
- 3Loosen or remove extra clothing and gear, like a hard hat or vest.
- 4Cool down with wet cloths, fans or cool water on the skin.
- 5Sip cool water if the person is alert and not vomiting.
- 6Don't send the person back to work the same day without being checked.
- 7Tell your supervisor and report it in writing. Keep a copy.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
Heat illness is common in construction, roofing, farming, landscaping and hot warehouses. Many workers shake it off and don't report it. A written report creates a record if symptoms return, if you need care, or if heat becomes a recurring problem at your site.
In your report, describe the conditions: the time of day, heat and humidity, direct sun or a hot roof, the type of work, heavy gear, and whether shade, water and rest breaks were available. Note whether you were new to the job or to working in heat — people who haven't adjusted to it are often at higher risk.
Your employer generally sends the report to its insurer or claims administrator. Deadlines to report and file vary by state, so check with your state's workers' compensation agency as soon as possible.
Keep records of any care you receive and any days missed.
Getting medical care
Get checked by a clinician after heat exhaustion — at urgent care, occupational medicine or your primary care clinician — especially if you were dizzy, vomited, or have a health condition. A licensed clinician decides what care is needed after an evaluation.
Tell the clinician it happened at work in the heat and describe how long you were out and what you were doing. Mention any medications you take, since some can affect how your body handles heat. Some states and employers have rules about which provider you see first, so ask your employer or adjuster.
If you're prescribed anything, ask the pharmacy and adjuster how work-injury prescriptions are handled. Many can be filled locally or delivered to your home.
Prescribed medication? Learn about prescription home delivery, common medications after work injuries, or find pharmacies near you. Your doctor and pharmacist decide what is right for you.
When people often talk to an attorney
- Heat illness led to hospital care, kidney problems or other lasting effects.
- You weren't given water, shade or rest breaks.
- You were told to keep working with symptoms.
- Your claim is denied because heat is called a weather condition rather than work.
- You were disciplined or treated differently after reporting heat illness.
- You work for a staffing agency or labor contractor and coverage is unclear.
Learn more: what a workers' comp attorney does. Many offer a free first consultation; fees in workers' comp are often regulated by the state.
Recovery and going back to work
Rest and rehydrate as your clinician advises. Having heat exhaustion once can make you more sensitive to heat for a while.
Ask your doctor whether you need restrictions — limited hours in heat, more breaks, or a gradual return. Ask your employer about shade, water access, rest breaks, and scheduling heavy work in cooler hours.
Keep your supervisor and adjuster updated. Watch for symptoms in yourself and coworkers and speak up early.
Questions to ask
- Doctor: Was this heat exhaustion, and could it have affected my kidneys or heart?
- Doctor: When is it safe to work in the heat again?
- Doctor: Do any of my medications make heat more dangerous for me?
- Employer: What's the plan for water, shade and rest breaks on hot days?
- Employer: Can I return gradually to full shifts in the heat?
- Adjuster: What is my claim number?
- Attorney: We weren't given breaks or shade. Does that change anything?
Frequently asked questions
What should I do for heat exhaustion on a job site?
Stop working, get into shade or air conditioning, loosen clothing, cool the skin and sip water. Call 911 for confusion, fainting, hot skin or if symptoms don't improve. Get checked and report it in writing.
What's the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke?
Heat exhaustion often brings heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness and nausea, while heat stroke can cause confusion, fainting, seizures and hot skin. Heat stroke is an emergency. When in doubt, call 911.
Is heat exhaustion at work covered by workers' comp?
Heat illness on the job is often handled through workers' compensation, depending on your state and situation. Report it in writing. Check deadlines with your state's agency.
Can I go back to work the same day after heat exhaustion?
It's generally best to be checked by a clinician first. Returning to the heat too soon may bring symptoms back. Ask for guidance.
Who is most at risk for heat exhaustion at work?
New workers who haven't adjusted to heat, people doing heavy work in sun or heavy gear, and those with certain health conditions or medications are often at higher risk. Talk to your clinician about your situation. Ask your employer about acclimatization.
What if my employer didn't give us water breaks?
Write down the conditions and what was provided. That information matters to your report. Many workers in this situation talk with an attorney.
Related situations
Industries where this often happens
Prescriptions.plus is an educational portal. We are not a pharmacy, law firm, medical provider, insurer or claims administrator, and nothing here is medical or legal advice. Educational purposes only. Workers' compensation rules and deadlines vary by state — check with your state's workers' compensation agency. Medical emergency? Call 911. Hurt outside of work? Personal-injury legal help: attorneys.plus (coming soon).