The Occupational Safety & Health Administration | National Institute for Occupational Safety & Heath is a free convenient app that provides users with real-time heat index information, hourly forecasts, signs of the different health-related heat illnesses, first aid, faqs, customizable reminders for alerts when to take breaks, risk factors, and more.
Download the app here:
Screenshots:
Small technical adjustments are made throughout the year to meet new programming standards set by the app store. Changes to the app function and content may also occur as the science around the heat index and the app’s usage evolves. It is important to regularly download updates to ensure you are using the latest version of the app.
Key considerations for using the app
- Heat index (HI) values were created for shady, light wind conditions, so exposure to full sunshine can increase heat index values by up to 15°F.
- The simplicity of the HI makes it a good option for many outdoor work environments (if no additional radiant heat sources are present, such as, fires or hot machinery). However, if you have the ability, NIOSH recommends using wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT)-based Recommended Exposure Limits (RELs) and Recommended Alert Limits (RALs) in hot environments.
- Use of the HI or WBGT is important, but other factors such as strenuous physical activity also cause heat stress among workers. Employers should have a robust heat stress prevention program that ensures workers are protected.
- NIOSH and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are considering new scientific data related to the HI levels, and considering how to best incorporate the evolving science. It is important to regularly download updates to ensure you are using the latest version of the app.
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/heatapp.html
