Heat Stress Prevention Tips for Safer, More Productive Shops

Stop Heat Stress Before It Stops Your Shop

June is Heating Up and So Your Shop’s Risk

June is National Safety Month—a reminder for service managers and shop owners to take a fresh look at the risks their teams face during peak heat season. While extreme temperatures are expected outside, many repair bays, tire stations, and welding areas can get dangerously hot even with the doors open.

Without proactive planning, heat stress can quietly derail productivity. When techs are drained, uncomfortable, or worse—out with heat illness—your service calendar takes the hit. But with smart protocols and the right gear, you can protect your crew and keep your shop running smoothly, no matter how high the temperatures climb.

Spot the Signs Early: Heat Illness Symptoms to Watch

Heat-related illness often creeps up. Recognizing it early can keep a small problem from turning into a serious emergency:

●     Heat rash and cramps: Red, irritated skin or muscle spasms during wrench-heavy work are often the first red flags. These shouldn’t be ignored.

●     Heat exhaustion: Signs include heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue, especially during long stretches under the hood or welding next to hot metal. Core temps may reach up to 104°F.

●     Heat stroke: Confusion, dry skin, or disorientation indicates a medical emergency. If a team member stops sweating or collapses, act fast.

For more details on symptoms and emergency response, visit the Mayo Clinic’s heat illness resource.

Don’t Overlook These Heat Stress Environments

Heat risk in a shop isn’t always obvious. Even with the garage doors open, these common scenarios can amplify the danger:

Welding gear and coveralls trap body heat
Mechanics wearing full PPE or welding jackets often don’t notice they’re overheating until it’s too late. Breathable cooling gear like the Chill-Its® 6667 Wet Evaporative Cooling Vest or the Phase Change Cooling Vest with Ice Packs offers welcome relief.

Poor ventilation near exhaust systems
Tire stations and undercarriage work near hot exhausts can quickly build up heat. Positioning an industrial floor fan or a rechargeable portable fan in problem zones can help reduce the temperature dramatically.

Tight vehicle interiors
Technicians working on dashboards or diagnostics inside vehicles may not realize how quickly heat builds up, especially with windows up. Encourage frequent cooldowns between these tasks.

Heat bounce from blacktop and open bays
Shops with open-door access to sunbaked lots may find radiant heat bouncing into the workspace. Adding shade where possible, rotating high-exertion jobs, and creating airflow pathways with a high stand fan can help.

Forgotten break zones
Cool-down stations matter—even in small shops. Stocking a hard-sided cooler with cold water and electrolyte popsicles gives your team a reason to take a quick breather before the next ticket rolls in.

Tips for Preventing Heat Stress

Prevention isn’t about overhauling your shop. It’s about small changes that add up to big safety and uptime benefits.

Hydrate early and often
According to OSHA, techs should drink 8 oz of water every 15–20 minutes when working in high heat. That’s tough to track unless hydration is built into your shop culture. Keep a beverage cooler stocked and offer electrolyte support like Qwik Stik® Mix or Sqweeze® Freeze Pops to replenish sodium and potassium lost through sweat.

Build in acclimatization time
Don’t expect techs to go from an air-conditioned break room to a 110°F bay without ramp-up time. Allow newer or returning employees to ease into hot-weather workloads.

Circulate air and cool surfaces
Even a single strategically placed fan can reduce ambient temps by several degrees. It also improves morale—nobody likes working in still, stagnant heat.

Encourage cool-down gear
Cooling arm sleeves, bandanas, and towels are discreet, affordable, and easy to work in. Techs appreciate options that don’t slow them down.

Train and document
Everyone in the shop should know the early signs of heat stress, what to do, and when to escalate. OSHA’s pending rule on heat illness prevention means you’ll want a basic written policy, even if your crew is small.

Keep Your Shop Running Strong This Summer

Heat stress doesn’t just affect health—it affects performance. A sluggish tech, a missed diagnosis, or an unexpected sick day creates a ripple effect that hits your bottom line. By taking simple steps now, you’re making it easier for your team to do their best work, even on the hottest days.

For more resources, check out:

●     OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention page

●     NIOSH heat safety recommendations

●   National Safety Council’s National Safety Month hub

●     National Weather Service’s Heat Index calculator

Want help building your shop’s heat safety toolkit?

Connect with your Kent representative or contact us online today to select cooling gear, hydration solutions, and safety resources tailored for your team and space.