Thank you to everyone who participated in our Open Beta phase. The following updates were made:

New Features

• Heat Alerts will now notify you of high and extreme risk in your current location.
• You can now pull down to refresh the information on the location list screen.
• Use an improved swipe gesture to delete locations quickly.

Improvements

• Compact view configuration is now saved for future sessions.
• The workload, clothing, and cloud coverage components now close when you select a new option.
• The "update your settings" pop-up is now less intrusive.
• Clothing terminology in French, Spanish and Portuguese is now simplified.
• An error causing multiple instances of the same location is fixed.

Improvements

Updated the WBGT information screen with detailed explanations of how the index is calculated.

AIHA Heat Stress - Version 1.2.0 Changelog

• Improved Location Search: Finding locations is now easier with more search results, even if they’re not an exact match.
• Feedback Request: We’d love to hear from you! A new pop-up makes it simple to share your thoughts and help us improve.
• Clearer Location Names: Your current location will now always display the city or district name for better clarity.
• Enhanced Forecast View: The first hour of today’s forecast now shows "Now" to keep you updated in real-time.
• Manual Location Sorting: You can now manually sort your saved locations for a more personalized experience.
• Detailed WBGT Index: The selected workload, clothing, and cloud coverage are now displayed above the WBGT index, giving you more context at a glance.
• Misc: bug fixes and improvements

Bugfix

Developers resolved bug that would not allow the app to work on devices with unsupported languages.

1.3.0 Change Log

• You can choose different workloads, clothing & cloud coverage for each location (your selection used to be app-wide and could not be customized).
• A new article “Precautionary Measures” has been added to the resources. (thanks, Tim Paz!)
• The clothing options names are now the same app-wide and examples were added under each option.
• The health recommendations under the location details have been reworked to match each situation better. (the more practical tips now appear on the location screen, and do not require any click-throughs)
• You can save the same location more than once but will be reminded to use the rename location feature when you do so.
• The search location placeholder was updated to show that you can search for locations or addresses, not only cities.
• A new splash screen will be displayed when the app takes too long to load on lower-end devices.
• A “New version available” screen will appear when an update is required.
• We’re adding the feedback request popup again after fixing its frequency.
• Multiple copy updates to the following sections:
  • Resources - Sun Exposure
  • Resources - Control Measures
  • Resources - Clothing Adjustment Factor (reflect updates provided by Jo Anne and Tim)
  • About the app

• Multiple bug fixes.
• Multiple UI & UX fixes.

FACT – While outdoor heat is a key contributor to heat-related illnesses, any environment can produce heat stress. Indoor workplaces with poor ventilation can pose a problem for workers, high physical exertion, as well as heat stressors on the job such as high physical exertion, limited rest breaks, and productivity or economic incentives that do not allow workers to work at their own pace). In fact, you do not need to be in a high ambient temperature to experience heat stroke.

FACT – Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) can contribute to heat stress in workers. For example, first responders, such as firefighters, may be more exposed to heat stress during non-firefighting activities by performing work in heavy, insulating gear.

FACT – Exertional heat stroke is a serious medical condition that requires immediate medical attention, and OEHS experts warn that having “dry, hot skin” is not a symptom of exertional heat stroke. Workers who succumb to exertional heat stroke are performing physical work during time of collapse and will present with sweating. The symptom of “dry, hot skin” occurs in a different form of heat stroke known as classical heat stroke, which occurs in the absence of any physical exertion and commonly occurs during heatwaves in the elderly and very young (infants) who are unable to regulate their body temperature properly.

FACT – Heat-related illnesses do not act on a continuum. In other words, workers will not experience heat syncope or heat exhaustion symptoms prior to succumbing to heat stroke. An exertional heat stroke can occur without the presentation of signs or symptoms of other heat-related illnesses.

FACT – While heat-related illnesses can strike people of all ages, the very old and the very young are most susceptible to heat stress.

FACT – While staying hydrated is important in preventing heat stress-related illnesses, it is not the most important strategy. Heat-related illnesses are driven by increases in core body temperature and other heat stress prevention strategies such as work to rest ratios, activity modifications dictated by environmental conditions, and heat acclimatization are often more effective and will prevent continuous rise of core body temperature or even result in a reduction of core body temperature. The most effective strategy is to include multiple heat stress prevention strategies such as hydration, activity modification, body cooling, and heat acclimatization to reduce rise of core body temperature.

Older workers are the most susceptible to heat stress, but young children are also at greatest risk for heat-related illness. In addition, very highly motivated young workers (i.e., those workers who power through their work without taking rest or water breaks in workplace situations described above) are also at risk. Workers are also at greater risk if they are:

• Physically inactive
• Unacclimatized to work in the heat
• Suffering from medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity
• Pregnant
• Taking medications associated with poor core body temperature regulation
• Recovering from or experiencing an illness (i.e., respiratory infection)

There is no one-size-fits-all formula when it comes to staying hydrated. Fluid needs are personal from one individual to another based on a person’s sweat rate, the amount of strenuous activity, and strain. A good rule of thumb is to drink water or drinks with electrolytes regularly when performing strenuous work in hot environments, and especially when you are feeling thirsty.

Yes, OEHS expert volunteers of the AIHA’s Thermal Stress Working Group are creating a free Heat Stress Mobile App that functions as a resource for heat stress by educating and alerting employees and employers of heat stress, strain, and the best solutions to address heat in an occupational setting. The new app, which will be available for download in June 2024, will include multiple functionalities:

• Heat Index and Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT)
• Timers
• Symptoms
• First Aid
• Risk Factors
• More Tips
• FAQs
• Feedback & Contact Us

This new app is not a replacement for the OSHA app and is not affiliated with OSHA.

AIHA recommends that all employers evaluate the heat stress risks in their workplaces and share evidence-based strategies for minimizing these risks with all employees. If your employer does not have heat stress protocols in place, you can download the AIHA’s free Heat Stress Mobile App to assess your daily heat stress risks and share this resource – and this website content – with your supervisor or human resources manager.

AIHA is the association for scientists and professionals committed to preserving and ensuring occupational and environmental health and safety in the workplace and community.