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
Workforce Development
Oct 01, 2026
Promote the Trades During Careers in Construction Month
Every October, NAHB and the residential construction industry celebrate Careers in Construction Month, a time to raise awareness of the rewarding opportunities available in the skilled trades.
Technology | Design | Business Management | Education
Sep 30, 2026
Top 5 Tech Trends That Will Shape Housing in 2027
Technology has quickly evolved from an optional upgrade to a core part of a home’s infrastructure. Communications expert and NAHB member Katye McGregor Bennett shares which technologies and trends stood out the most at the recent CEDIA Expo, and what builders should keep an eye on in 2027.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Oct 01, 2026
Private Residential Construction Spending Posts Broad-Based Gains in August
Private residential construction spending rose in August 2026 following a series of declines during the second quarter of the year. According to the latest construction spending data from the U.S. Census Bureau, private residential construction spending came in at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of $882.3 billion in August, up 1.1% from July but down 4.8% from a year ago.
Economics
Oct 01, 2026
AI Exposure Remains Relatively Low Across Most Construction Occupations
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing how work gets done, but its impact varies considerably across occupations. For most construction occupations, near-term exposure to AI remains relatively low.
Economics
Sep 30, 2026
Economic Growth Continued Across Most States in the Second Quarter
Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased in 44 states and the District of Columbia in the second quarter of 2026, according to the latest estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).