Over the past few years, extreme temperatures have surfaced in even traditionally temperate locations, with deadly heat domes appearing over the United States. This is a preview of things to come.
Approximately 40 to 60 workers die annually from environmental heat exposure in the United States, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. However, researchers suggest the actual number of deaths is likely much higher due to underreporting, with estimates for occupational heat-related deaths ranging from several hundred to over 2,000 annually.
With the dangers of working in the summer heat, it’s vital that shed manufacturers ensure their employees keep safe and cool when installing structures.
HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES AND INJURIES
Lately, heat waves have been more intense and frequent, endangering construction workers, including those installing sheds outside. Shed installers exposed to hot environments or extreme heat can be at risk of heat-related illnesses and injuries.
Heat stress is the combination of a worker’s exposure to heat from physical activity, environmental factors, and their clothing, which results in an increase in the body’s heat storage, known as the net
heat load.
Construction workers are particularly susceptible to heat stress because they often work long hours outdoors in hot and humid conditions. Installing a shed in the summer heat can lead to fatigue, making it harder to concentrate and perform tasks accurately. Metal sheds absorb sunlight and heat quickly, often becoming significantly hotter than ambient outdoor temperatures. How hot can a metal shed get in summer? Temperatures inside a metal shed can exceed 20 to 30 F above outdoor temperatures, sometimes reaching 120 F or higher on extremely hot days. Dark-colored sheds tend to absorb more heat.
Because of excessive heat, shed installers may take more frequent breaks, which can extend the project timeline. Dehydration is also a serious concern; workers must ensure they are drinking plenty of water throughout the day. During hot summer days, regular hydration breaks in the shade are essential for workers to be safe and to function fully.
Daniel Johnson, co-owner of Johnson Brothers Manufacturing, Providence, North Carolina, says he encourages workers to stay hydrated.
“We keep a big ice chest stocked with water and Gatorade-type drinks during the hot months,” he says. “Thankfully, we’ve not had any succumb to heat stroke. (Also) we set up large fans at the ends of the work bays in order to keep the air circulating.”
Jonathan Miller, owner of Heritage Structures, Waterloo, New York, says his company does have a safety culture that addresses this hazard, and his leadership team supplies Gatorade and water at all times to combat heat.
“We often adjust starting time as well to get more work done earlier in the day,” he shares. “We did have (a heat-stricken employee) last summer. A foreman who wasn’t drinking the needed fluids and overheated. We did take him to the ER, and he needed an IV to get hydrated. No long-term damage, but that is very scary. The focus is to always have at least two people working together when it is hot like this.”
To protect his employees, Jake Byler, owner of Midwest Mini Barns, Winston, Missouri, employs a rule of “stay safe, stay hydrated.”
Also, “If it’s overly hot on a certain day, we simply shut down early. Be careful when working on the inside of non-insulated structures on a hot day where there is no air movement.”
Lenny Stahl, co-owner of Dakota Storage Buildings in Milbank, South Dakota, explains that while his company has not experienced this problem with his employees, his company is doing things to avoid it.
“We installed AC in our factory to prevent that, and we will work earlier in the day and quit when it gets too hot,” Stahl says.
Oscar Rivera, president and founder of Rivera Construction, Lebanon, Connecticut, checks the weather every week and every morning and plans his company’s schedule around it.
“If it’s going to be too hot, we shift our crew to indoor work or make sure they’re set up with plenty of shade,” he points out.
WET-BULB TEMPERATURE
But even the shade might not be safe in some places. Wet-bulb temperatures play a factor. It’s measured by a thermometer covered with a wet cloth and is a measurement of heat and humidity. At 100 percent humidity, the wet-bulb temperature is equal to the dry-bulb temperature. If possible, plan your work for cooler parts of the day, like early mornings or late afternoons, to mitigate these negative effects.
In a wet-bulb temperature of 95 F or higher, your body essentially runs a fever with no way to cool it down—even in the shade. The high humidity prevents the sweat from evaporating from your skin, which keeps your body cool. An hour of working on a wet-bulb temperature day can be life-threatening.
Fortunately, such days are not common, but here’s the danger. According to Radley Horton, a Columbia University professor who co-authored a National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 2020 study on wet-bulb temperatures, “Wet-bulb temperatures above 86 F are rare in the U.S. As wet-bulb temperatures approach 95 F, even the healthiest people, relaxing in the shade without heavy clothing and with an endless supply of water, cannot prevent themselves from overheating.
“Even at lower wet-bulb temperatures, like 79 F, those with pre-existing health conditions (like respiratory, cardiovascular, and renal disease), the elderly, as well as those performing strenuous outdoor labor and athletic activities, are at a high risk.”
OSHA
Under OSHA law, employers are responsible for providing workplaces free of known safety hazards. This includes protecting workers from extreme heat. OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention campaign, launched in 2011, educates employers and workers on the dangers of working in the heat.
Through training sessions, outreach events, informational sessions, publications, social media messaging, and media appearances, millions of workers and employers have learned how to protect workers from heat. OSHA’s safety message concerning heat stress comes down to three key words: water, rest, shade.
“We’re familiar with OSHA’s heat safety standards,” Rivera says. “We follow the basics: water, shade, and rest. That’s what it comes down to. We just make sure it’s not optional, it’s expected.”
An informal public hearing on OSHA’s Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings proposed rule concluded on July 2, 2025. On August 30, 2024, OSHA published in the Federal Register a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings. This is a significant step toward a federal heat standard to protect workers.
The proposed standard would apply to all employers conducting outdoor and indoor work in all general industry, construction, maritime, and agriculture sectors where OSHA has jurisdiction. The standard would require employers to create a plan to evaluate and control heat hazards in their workplace.
How Ted Sheds Protects Its Workers from Heat
We encourage loading times to start at 6 a.m. to beat the heat, we also let installers call the job at any time at their discretion.
We have an ice machine in our shop and provide water jugs for all employees. We provide sunscreen as well. We also provide free Gatorade in our refrigerator at the shop and encourage them to drink one at the end of the day. We encourage only drinking water on the job site.
We have weekly safety meetings and check in daily after installs. We also try to schedule crews with a large build one day and a small build the next. Many employees wear large, brimmed hats.
We have had a few instances of heat stroke. The protocol we have is to get them out of the sun, pour water on their shirts, and put a wet cloth around their neck. Drink water in small quantities, end the job, and get them back to our shop.
We have weekly meetings on finding shade on the job. We try to get the shingles finished as soon as possible, and we post signs of heat stroke and what to do. We try to find a shaded spot on the job site and stack shingles there. Only bring them out when we are ready to use them. This helps bring them cooler, and we provide work gloves.
Information provided by Tony Studer, owner, Ted Sheds, Denver
COOLING GEAR
The right gear for shed installers reduces heat stress. Lightweight, breathable clothes made of cotton, wool, and polyester can be comfortable and have effective moisture-wicking abilities. Clothes should also be light in color to reflect the heat; the best hues to wear in hot weather reportedly are white, gray, red, and yellow.
“We provide long-sleeve dry-fit shirts with our logo, lightweight hats, sunglasses, and gloves,” Rivera says. “Anything they need to stay protected from sun exposure while still being able to work comfortably. It’s part of their uniform and part of how we work.”
Other common gear includes cooling vests, long sleeves, towels, helmets and bandanas, misting systems, and pop-up canopies.
Cooling vests can prevent the body from overheating. This vest is worn under or over clothing and contains cooling packs to help reduce the body’s core temperature. Frozen packs are inserted into the vest, and they will last several hours; an easy, fast, and comfortable application. Neck cooling tubes use innovative liquid Phase Change Material that starts freezing below 18 C (64 F) and lasts longer than water-based products. A thermoplastic polyurethane outer layer prevents frostbite, and an integrated mold eliminates stitching, reducing leakage risk. The PCM material is SGS-tested for safety and can be refrozen for repeated use.
Recognizing the Warning Signs of Heat-Related Illness
Early detection and intervention can be huge differentiating factors for preventing serious heat-related illnesses. Be aware of the following common warning signs:
Dizziness, light-headedness, confusion, irritability, or difficulty concentrating. Pay close attention to changes in mood or behavior, as these can be early indicators of heat stress, especially in older workers or those who are not acclimatized.
Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite. These symptoms can also be accompanied by excessive sweating or a feeling of nausea without vomiting.
Excessive sweating, clammy skin, or cold, pale, and moist skin (in heat stroke). Be aware that sweating can vary depending on the individual and the environment. Some people may sweat profusely, while others may sweat very little. The absence of sweat should not be solely relied upon to rule out heat stress.
Muscle cramps, weakness, or fatigue. Muscle cramps are often the first noticeable symptom of heat stress, and they can be painful and debilitating.
Headaches are a common symptom of heat stress and dehydration.
A rapid heartbeat is the body’s attempt to increase circulation and deliver more blood to the skin’s surface for cooling.
Information provided by JobSiteCare
AWARENESS AND EDUCATION
Creating awareness and providing proper education are key steps to protecting shed installers from heat stress. Workers must understand the dangers and severity of the potential outcomes of heat stress so that all workers do what they can to both look after themselves and to also know what to look for in their fellow workers to help keep them safe.
Heat signage warnings can be posted, and electronic heat stress-related information can be sent out—in multiple languages if required—to remind employees to monitor and self-assess themselves while working in a hot environment.
Rivera explains his company has created a culture where workers know their health comes first.
“We let them control their own breaks,” he says. “We don’t run the job like a sweatshop. If someone needs to cool off, they do. That mindset has kept us from ever having a heat-related issue.
“Our guys know how to take care of themselves, and we support that. We stay ahead of the heat instead of reacting to it. We’ve always told the guys to listen to their bodies and take care of each other. Everyone knows the signs, and I encourage them to look out for one another.
“You don’t need a manual for common sense.”
