Emergency
Heat stroke = call 911
Call 911 nowCall 911 right away if the person:
- Stops sweating
- Seems confused, can't talk clearly or passes out
- Has a seizure
- Has very hot, red or dry skin
While you wait for help
- Move the person to a cool place and remove outer clothing
- Cool the body fast with cold, wet cloths, ice packs or cool water on the head, neck, armpits and groin
- Stay with them until emergency medical services arrive
Know the signs of heat illness
Early warning signs
- Heavy sweating
- Headache, dizziness or confusion
- Nausea or vomiting
- Muscle cramps
- Weakness or feeling faint
Take action right away
- Move to shade or a cooler indoor spot
- Sip cool water (small, frequent sips)
- For heat cramps, have a snack or drink that replaces carbs and electrolytes every 15 to 20 minutes
- Loosen clothing; use cool cloths or ice packs on the neck, armpits or groin
- Rest until you feel better — don't go back to heavy work right away
- Take a worker with heat exhaustion to a clinic or emergency room, or call 911 if medical care is unavailable
Source: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Tools and resources
OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool app
Free app that shows the heat index where you are, hour by hour, with safety recommendations for outdoor work.
Types of heat illness and what to do
CDC/NIOSH explainer on heat stroke, heat exhaustion, cramps and rash — with a medical action plan for each.
Read the CDC guide cdc.govHeat illness prevention plans for Michigan workplaces
MIOSHA's heat page includes a sample Heat Illness Prevention Plan employers can adopt, plus fact sheets and training materials.
MIOSHA heat resources michigan.govFederal heat safety guidance
OSHA's heat exposure page: employer responsibilities, worker protections, water–rest–shade basics and first aid.
OSHA heat exposure osha.govReport unsafe conditions
You have the right to a safe workplace and to report hazards without retaliation. Michigan has no specific heat rule, but MIOSHA expects employers to take steps to prevent heat illness — such as providing water, rest and shade — and it investigates complaints.
MIOSHA (Michigan)
OSHA (federal)
File a complaint with OSHA osha.govPlanet Detroit's reporting on heat
Our ongoing coverage of how extreme heat affects workers and communities in Metro Detroit — and what's being done about it.
Read “Heat and Harm”