As temperatures rise across New England, so does the risk of heat-related illnesses for those who work outdoors. From construction crews on busy city streets to landscapers, delivery drivers, and utility workers, thousands of employees in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut face serious hazards when working in extreme heat.

At Beacon Mutual, protecting workers and preventing injuries is at the heart of what we do. Over the years, we've shared seasonal heat safety tips through a series of blog posts. Now, we're bringing together the most important takeaways—along with the latest updates from OSHA—to help you keep your team safe, productive, and prepared all summer long.

Start with the Heat Protection Basics

The foundation of heat safety starts with three simple principles:

• Drink water frequently – even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid caffeine and sugary drinks, which can dehydrate you.

• Take breaks in shaded or cool areas – frequent rest is critical to recovery, especially when temperatures soar above 90°F.

• Dress for the weather – light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing helps regulate body temperature.

Don’t overlook the signs of heat stress. Dizziness, nausea, headache, and confusion are early warnings. If ignored, they can quickly escalate to heat exhaustion or heat stroke—both of which require immediate medical attention.

For more detailed information, refer to our blog on Summer Sun and Heat Hazards.

Build a Culture of Heat Awareness

Employers play a vital role in keeping outdoor workers safe. Beacon’s past blog posts recommend:

• Download Beacon's Free Beat the Heat infographic and put it on your employee bulletin board.

• Creating a heat safety plan tailored to your job sites and schedules

• Training your team to recognize and respond to heat illness symptoms.  Beacon offers more than 100 core health and safety online courses* in the Beacon Online University.
  
  Classes include Working Outdoors in Warm Weather and Working Outdoors in Warm Weather for Camp Employees. *We offer this online training resource to all our policyholders and their employees at no additional cost.

• Allowing workers time to acclimate to hot conditions, especially after time off or during the first heat wave of the season

Encourage a “speak up” culture—if someone feels off, they should feel comfortable taking a break or alerting a supervisor.

For more insights, check out our blog on Working in High Heat Conditions.

What's New in 2025: Proposed Federal Standards from OSHA

With extreme heat becoming more common and more dangerous, OSHA is stepping up enforcement and proposing new safety standards that would apply nationwide.

Highlights of the proposed rules include:

• 15-minute paid breaks every two hours when the heat index exceeds 90°F

• Mandatory access to water, shade, and rest areas

• Heat safety training for all outdoor workers

• Emergency response plans for heat-related incidents

• Acclimatization protocols for new and returning workers

These rules are designed to reduce heat-related injuries, hospitalizations, and fatalities—and they align with best practices already encouraged by Beacon’s safety experts.

For more information, visit OSHA's Heat Illness Prevention Campaign and their Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Fact Sheet.

How Local Businesses Can Stay Ahead of the Heat:

While OSHA’s heat safety rule is still in the proposal stage, employers in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut shouldn’t wait to take action. Summer temperatures in New England can be unpredictable—and dangerous.

The good news? You don’t have to go it alone.

Partner with Beacon for Safety, Compliance and Peace of Mind

At Beacon Mutual, we’ve helped thousands of local businesses create safer workplaces and reduce workers’ comp claims—even in the toughest conditions. Our safety consultants can help you:

• Assess your current heat safety protocols

• Provide onsite or virtual training for your team

• Customize your safety plan based on job type, location, and risk level

Let’s work together to protect the workers who keep our communities running—because no job is worth risking a life.

Ready to put safety first this summer? Connect with Beacon Mutual today and learn how we can help your business stay cool, compliant, and injury-free.