As Summer 2024 set record-breaking heat, and with forecasts predicting continued high temperatures into the fall, outdoor workers across the U.S. face growing risks of heat-related illnesses. To address this, the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) has launched a free "AIHA Heat Stress Mobile App" to help employers and workers assess and mitigate heat stress in real time.
"With climate change increasing the frequency of extreme heat, protecting workers from heat stress is critical," said Lawrence D. Sloan, CEO of AIHA. "Our new app provides a more accurate method to gauge heat risk and is an essential tool for safeguarding workers’ health."
Developed by AIHA’s Thermal Stress Working Group in partnership with East Carolina University, the app is available for download on iOS and Android devices. It allows users to input factors such as location, workload intensity, clothing type, and cloud coverage. The app uses this data along with local weather information to calculate the Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index, considered the gold standard for evaluating heat stress. It then provides heat alerts, health recommendations, and suggested rest breaks and water consumption based on individual risk levels.
Margaret C. Morrissey-Basler, Ph.D., chair of AIHA’s Thermal Stress Working Group, highlighted the app’s value for employers: “This tool helps supervisors make informed decisions about adjusting workloads to ensure worker safety in high-heat environments.”
In comparison to similar tools like the OSHA/NIOSH Heat Safety Tool, the AIHA app uses the more accurate WBGT index rather than the heat index. A standout feature of the AIHA app is its ability to forecast heat stress levels up to five days in advance, allowing employers to plan and adjust work schedules accordingly.
The app launch is part of AIHA's broader effort to raise awareness about heat stress and provide resources to mitigate its dangers. AIHA has also updated its Healthier Workplaces website with free materials, offering guidance on personal risk factors and workplace heat stress protocols.
With more than 700 heat-related deaths occurring in the U.S. annually, the AIHA Heat Stress Mobile App aims to help prevent these tragedies and protect outdoor workers from the growing threat of extreme heat.
