Use NAHB Resources to Keep Workers Safe in Dangerous Heat
As heat waves move across wide areas of the United States, it is important for home builders and general contractors to have plans and resources in place to keep workers and subcontractors safe on the jobsite.
OSHA has also announced that it has begun a rulemaking on “heat injury and illness prevention” that may result in a new standard for construction. Although NAHB and its partners in the Construction Industry Safety Coalition are actively engaged in the process, home builders should be prepared for more stringent requirements in the near future.
NAHB has numerous resources available to residential construction professionals to help protect workers from excessive heat, including the video below and accompanying handout.
With such extreme early season heat, many workers will suffer from a lack of acclimatization, meaning their bodies simply are not yet accustomed to high heat. During this dangerous time, the most serious heat illness is heat stroke. Symptoms of heat stroke include:
- Confusion, disorientation, slurred speech, unable to think clearly, collapse, unconsciousness or potential seizures.
- No sweating.
If a worker is experiencing heat stroke, cool them immediately and call 911.
More tips to keep workers safe on the jobsite can be found in the NAHB Heat Stress Safety Toolkit.
Sponsored by
Latest from NAHBNow
Economics
Sep 30, 2026
Data Center Boom Helps Offset Softer Construction Hiring
Construction job openings declined in August. However, strength in certain subsectors like data center construction (up 46% year over year) is creating demand for construction workers.
Economics
Sep 29, 2026
Reminder: Tell Us How Rising Costs Are Impacting Overall Construction Costs for Single-Family Homes
NAHB’s Economics team is measuring how elevated costs across the residential construction industry impact the cost to build single-family homes. And we need your help.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Sep 29, 2026
Consumer Confidence Fell in September
Consumer confidence in September plunged to the lowest level since April 2014 as consumers grew more pessimistic about current conditions and the economic outlook.
Economics
Sep 29, 2026
August Construction Job Openings
The number of open positions in the construction sector fell back in August per the Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). The current level of open jobs is down from three years ago due to declines in construction activity, particularly in housing.
Economics
Sep 28, 2026
Market Share of 5,000+ Sq. Ft. Homes Edges Higher in 2025
New homes with 5,000 square feet or more of living space posted an increase in market share last year. In 2025, 27,000 homes of this size were started, accounting for 2.9% of all new homes started. Both the number and market share of homes with 5,000 square feet or more increased from 2024, according to annual data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC).