Buddy system

A buddy system pairs workers so each one watches the other. NIOSH lists it as a work practice where workers observe each other for signs of heat-related illness. People who are getting sick often miss it themselves, and confusion is a sign of heat stroke.

Tell buddies what to watch for: dizziness, nausea, heavy sweating, slurred speech, or unusual behavior. NIOSH also stresses reporting symptoms in yourself or a coworker to the supervisor right away. A buddy helps most on a new worker's first days, when the body is not yet used to the heat. Call 911 for signs of heat stroke. Put the pairing in your heat illness prevention plan and cover it in a toolbox talk.