AIHA launches a new mobile app to help manage heat stress
As temperatures climb and outdoor work grows riskier, AIHA—the association focused on occupational and environmental health and safety—has released a mobile app to help. The goal is straightforward: give workers and employers practical tools to assess heat exposure and take action before it becomes dangerous.
Why this heat stress app matters
Extreme heat can take a serious toll on people who work outside. From construction to agriculture, many workers face high temperatures day after day, and the health consequences can be severe. AIHA’s app is a proactive way to cut through guesswork with monitoring and assessments that reflect what someone is actually doing and wearing in real conditions.
Real-time risk insight
Lawrence D. Sloan, CEO of AIHA, underscored the app’s purpose: “Our team has worked tirelessly to develop a resource that accurately gauges heat stress risks in real time,” he stated. It’s designed as a complete resource for both outdoor workers and their employers, turning individual exposure details into clear recommendations and prevention steps.
What the AIHA Heat Stress Mobile App offers
The app is free on iOS and Android and built to be simple to use. You enter a few key details, and the app evaluates your heat exposure with care, not shortcuts. Here’s what you can set:
Customizable inputs for precise assessments
- Select your location (with multiple options to choose from).
- Choose workload intensity, from light to very heavy.
- Pick clothing from six types that reflect what you’re wearing on the job.
- Note cloud coverage to account for sun exposure.
- Set your preferred language: English, Spanish, French, or Portuguese.
The app blends these inputs with real-time National Weather Service data to calculate your Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index. Considered the gold standard for heat stress evaluation, WBGT incorporates factors such as humidity and radiant heat to deliver a well-rounded picture of risk.
Alerts and recommendations you can act on
Beyond calculating WBGT, the app sends heat alerts tailored to your work schedule and current conditions. You’ll also see health guidance—like hydration reminders and rest breaks—based on your personal risk level. The intention is simple: protect people first, and by doing so, help keep work moving safely.
Helping supervisors make smart calls
Dr. Margaret C. Morrissey-Basler points to the app’s value for both workers and supervisors. When leaders clearly understand the risks and the impact of extreme heat, they can adjust workloads and timing to safeguard health while maintaining efficiency. Research shows heat can significantly reduce job performance—making prevention more than just a good idea.
Heat-related illness demands attention
Heat isn’t a minor nuisance. In the U.S., environmental heat exposure is linked to more than 700 deaths each year. That reality underscores the need for practical tools and reliable information to prevent heat-related illness on the job. AIHA’s app aims to help close that gap and reduce injuries across outdoor workplaces.
How it differs from existing tools
Tools like the Heat Safety Tool from OSHA and NIOSH are already available. What sets the AIHA app apart is its use of WBGT rather than the general heat index. That difference matters when matching risk to different types of workloads, improving the accuracy of what the user sees.
Plan ahead with forecasting
The AIHA Heat Stress Mobile App includes a forecasting feature that predicts WBGT up to five days in advance. With that lead time, employers can organize shifts and tasks to reduce risk during the hottest periods and create safer conditions for teams working outdoors.
AIHA’s ongoing commitment to safety
AIHA continues to invest in education and resources that support worker health. The organization has added workplace heat stress resources to its website to raise awareness and equip both workers and employers with the information they need. The app is one more tool in a wider effort to improve safety practices and outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AIHA Heat Stress Mobile App?
It’s a free iOS and Android app from AIHA that helps outdoor workers and employers assess heat exposure and manage heat stress risks on the job.
How does the app measure heat stress risk?
You enter details like location, workload, clothing, cloud cover, and language. The app combines those inputs with National Weather Service data to calculate the Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) and display the related risk level.
What guidance does the app provide?
Based on your risk level, the app offers practical recommendations, including hydration reminders, rest breaks, and heat safety tips you can use throughout your shift.
Is this meant to replace other heat safety tools?
No. It complements existing options. The AIHA app uses WBGT rather than the general heat index, which can provide a more accurate picture across different workload types.
How can employers use the app day to day?
Employers can monitor heat stress risks for their crews, adjust schedules and workloads accordingly, and use the five-day WBGT forecast to plan safer work during hotter periods.
