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
Economics
Dec 15, 2025
Builder Sentiment Inches Higher but Ends the Year in Negative TerritoryBuilder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes rose one point to 39 in December, according to the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released today. Sentiment levels were below the breakeven point of 50 every month in 2025 and ranged in the high 30s in the final quarter of the year.
Advocacy
Dec 12, 2025
Judge Determines FEMA’s Termination of BRIC Program UnlawfulA federal judge ruled that the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s termination of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program was unlawful and issued a permanent injunction restoring the program. This action is of note to the housing community because NAHB has been pushing Congress to pass the Promoting Resilient Buildings Act, which would allow jurisdictions to qualify for BRIC funds if they have adopted one of the latest two code cycles.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Dec 15, 2025
Builder Sentiment Inches Higher but Ends the Year in Negative TerritoryBuilder confidence inched higher to end the year but still remains well into negative territory as builders continue to grapple with rising construction costs, tariff and economic uncertainty, and many potential buyers remaining on the sidelines due to affordability concerns.
Economics
Dec 11, 2025
Homeownership Rate Inches Up to 65.3%The latest homeownership rate rose to 65.3% in the third quarter of 2025, according to the Census’s Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS).
Economics
Dec 10, 2025
No Risk-Free Path: Fed Eases Monetary PolicyThe central bank’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) cut rates a third and final time in 2025, reducing the target range for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to a 3.5% to 3.75% range. This reduction will help reduce financing costs of builder and developer loans.