---
title: "What Is Water Rest Shade? Heat Stress and Hydration Glossary"
description: "Water. Rest. Shade. is OSHA's heat safety message: cool water to drink, scheduled rest breaks, and a cool place to recover."
url: https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/water-rest-shade
publisher: JMAR Solutions
phone: +1-214-632-7780
quote: https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/contact
---

Heat illness prevention

# Water rest shade

Water. Rest. Shade. is OSHA's heat safety message: cool water to drink, scheduled rest breaks, and a cool place to recover. OSHA encourages all three for prevention.

Water, rest, shade is OSHA's three-part heat message. Give workers cool water and remind them to drink often, not just when thirsty. Require rest breaks that get longer as heat stress rises. Give workers a cool place to recover, such as shade, an air-conditioned vehicle or a tent with fans.

OSHA adds that on jobs longer than two hours, employers should provide electrolyte-containing drinks such as sports drinks, because water cannot replace electrolytes lost in sweat. Read about [electrolytes](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/electrolyte) and [hydration](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/hydration). Rest timing is covered under [work/rest schedule](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/work-rest-schedule). Our [jobsite hydration plan guide](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/guides/jobsite-hydration-plan) shows how crews apply it.

[From JMAR SolutionsHydration programs and toolbox talks for crews](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/hydration-programs)

## Related terms

-   [Hydration](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/hydration)
-   [Electrolyte](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/electrolyte)
-   [Work/rest schedule](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/work-rest-schedule)
-   [Heat illness prevention plan](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/glossary/heat-illness-prevention-plan)

## Sources

1.  [OSHA: Heat Overview](https://www.osha.gov/heat-exposure)
2.  [OSHA: Water. Rest. Shade.](https://www.osha.gov/heat-exposure/water-rest-shade)

![Ironworkers silhouetted on a steel frame against a hot orange sunset](https://jmarsolutions.multisites.ai/_astro/sunset-steel.IhAMDca0_6wk53.webp)

## See it on your crew in 15 minutes

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