Heat Safety at UMD

The UMD heat safety program is designed to protect our UMD faculty, staff, students and visitors from heat-related illnesses while working in high temperature and humidity found in indoor and outdoor environments. 

Applicability and Exemptions

The Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) Heat Stress Standard, COMAR 09.12.32, applies when indoor or outdoor work activities expose us to a heat index of 80°F or higher.

The standard does not apply to:

• Employees incidentally exposed to heat for 15 consecutive minutes or less per hour;
• Work areas in buildings, structures, or vehicles where mechanical ventilation or fans maintain the heat index below 80°F; or
• Emergency operations and essential services, as defined by the regulation.

ESSR recommends that departments continue to use reasonable heat-illness prevention measures whenever heat presents a foreseeable hazard, even when an exemption applies.

The UMD Heat Safety Program Elements

• The Documented Heat Safety Program Required knowledge for all UMD groups/units with personnel who work in outdoor/indoor areas which have a heat index greater than 80°F.
• Department Heat Illness Prevention and Management Plan
  Required for all departments that have employees exposed to heat indices greater than 80°F.
• Heat Safety in the Workplace (presented in English)
  Required annual training for all UMD groups/units with personnel who work in outdoor/indoor areas which have a heat index greater than 80°F.
• Capiciatión sobre seguridad térmica en el lugar de trabajo (presentada en español)
  Capacitación anual obligatoria para todos los grupos/unidades de la UMD con personal que trabaja en áreas exteriores/interiores que tengan un índice de calor superior a 80 °F.

Learn more on Air Quality Index (AQI) & KN95s.

Resources and Guidance for All Employees