Heat Stress Evaluation of Baseball and Softball Umpires

04/14/2026

OSHA renewed the Outdoor and Indoor Heat-Related Hazards National Emphasis Program (NEP). OSHA updated its 2022 NEP to protect workers from outdoor and indoor heat-related hazards, directing agency resources to focus on inspections and outreach in industries and workplaces where heat-stress risks are most likely to occur.

The updated NEP uses OSHA and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data from calendar years 2022-2025 to set inspection priorities for 55 high-risk industries across indoor and outdoor work settings. Criteria for industry targeting included the following:

📌 High numbers or high incidence rates of heat-related illnesses from BLS data for calendar years 2021 to 2024;

📌 Elevated number of days away, restricted, or transferred in calendar years 2021 to 2024;

📌 High numbers of severe cases of heat-related illnesses, as indicated by death or hospitalization, from OSHA severe injury reports made by employers for calendar years 2021 to 2024; or

📌 OSHA heat-related inspections of establishments with issued heat-related General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1)) violations and hazard alert letters (HALs) in calendar years 2022 to 2025.

Targeted construction industries include residential and nonresidential building construction; highway, street, and bridge construction; utility systems construction; foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors; building equipment and building finishing contractors; and other special trade contractors. Targeted nonconstruction industries include those across the agricultural, manufacturing, retail trade, transportation, warehousing, and storage sectors.

Compliance officers will continue to conduct inspections when there is evidence of heat-related hazards on heat priority days. Agency compliance officers will also conduct random inspections focused on heat hazards in high-risk industries on days when the National Weather Service (NWS) issues a heat advisory or warning.

Heat illness remains a serious hazard for indoor and outdoor workers, resulting in preventable injuries and fatalities each year. Ensuring that employers take the necessary steps to safeguard workers is essential. The updated program allows OSHA to focus on outreach, compliance assistance, and enforcement in high-risk industries, while promoting effective prevention practices.

There is no current federal heat illness prevention standard. OSHA issued a proposal for a Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings standard. California, Colorado, Maryland, Oregon, and Washington have state heat illness prevention standards. Minnesota has a standard for both hot and cold working environments. New Mexico issued a proposal last year for a heat stress prevention standard. All state rules have similar requirements for water, rest, and shade, as well as for worker acclimatization and training.

Ref: https://ehsleaders.org/2026/04/osha-renews-heat-hazard-emphasis-program/?

OSHA renewed its Outdoor and Indoor Heat-Related Hazards National Emphasis Program to protect workers from outdoor and indoor heat-related hazards.

01/14/2026

Legislation recently introduced in the House would preemptively prevent OSHA from finalizing a proposed rule to protect indoor and outdoor workers from heat-related injuries and illnesses.

Under the Heat Workforce Standards Act (H.R. 6213), introduced Nov. 20 by Rep. Mark Messmer (R-IN), “the secretary of labor may not finalize, implement or enforce the proposed standard titled ‘Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings’ published by [OSHA] in the Federal Register on Aug. 30, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 70698), or any substantially similar standard.”

In a statement, Messmer wrote: “My Heat Workforce Standards Act empowers employers to maintain safe and realistic workplace standard parameters which allow for both their workers and the business to thrive.”

This past summer, OSHA held informal hearings on the proposed rule with several entities, including:

✅ AFL-CIO
✅ American Society of Safety Professionals
✅ National Federation of Independent Business
✅ National Safety Council
✅ UAW International Union
✅ U.S Chamber of Commerce
✅ U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy

The agency gave participants until Oct. 30 to submit post-hearing comments, but hasn’t revealed its next steps for the proposed standard. The bill has 28 co-sponsors and has been referred to the House Education and Workforce Committee. Ref:

Washington — Legislation recently introduced in the House would preemptively end any attempt by OSHA to finalize a proposed rule aimed at protecting indoor and outdoor workers from heat-related injuries and illnesses.

01/13/2026

This study developed and validated a composite Occupational Heat Risk and Illness Index (O-HRII) that integrates exposure to risk factors and self-reported symptoms, benchmarked against urine specific gravity (USG).

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 outdoor workers in Tamil Nadu, India, during peak summer, combining two components: the Heat Exposure Risk (HER) score, based on validated risk factors, and the Heat Illness Symptom (HIS) score, derived from clinical frameworks. End-of-shift USG (≥1.020) was used as a physiological reference for validation.

The HER score demonstrated strong validity and reliability, while the HIS score effectively identified symptomatic workers. The combined O-HRII aligned well with the physiological marker, classifying most workers as moderate-to-severe risk. Importantly, the tool facilitated evidence-based recommendations for immediate on-site use.

O-HRII is a validated, field-feasible tool for identifying vulnerable outdoor workers and guiding heat-stress interventions. Ref:

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2026 by WebMD LLC.This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.Your Privacy Choices

09/10/2025

A new report published on Aug. 22 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) focuses on evidence and guidance related to climate change and heat stress in the workplace.

Worker health and productivity “are severely impacted by rising temperatures,” according to the report, which points to the past 10 years—2015 to 2024—as being the warmest on record.

For example, WHO and WMO state that worker productivity decreases by two to three percent for every degree the wet-bulb globe temperature increases above 20 C, and that heat-related risks affect both the long-term health of workers and economic security.

The report lists impaired kidney function, dehydration, and neurological dysfunction among the health risks associated with frequent work in hot conditions.

“Daytime temperatures of more than 40 C and even above 50 C are becoming increasingly common, a clear indication that immediate action is needed to address the worsening impact of heat stress on workers worldwide,” the organizations’ joint news release says.

The joint WHO-WMO report urges policymakers, public health officials, and employers to take action to mitigate the risks of extreme heat among workers. The organizations’ recommendations focus on developing occupational heat-health policies, increasing education and awareness regarding the recognition and treatment of heat stress symptoms, and engaging all stakeholders to ensure the relevance of and support for local occupational heat action programs.

Additional areas that WHO and WMO recommend policymakers and others address include protecting vulnerable workers, such as those with chronic health conditions, and supporting future research on heat stress. The full report is available from the WHO website. Ref:

A new report published on Aug. 22 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) focuses on evidence and guidance related to climate change and heat stress in the workplace.

09/05/2025

A new report published on Aug. 22 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) focuses on evidence and guidance related to climate change and heat stress in the workplace.

Worker health and productivity “are severely impacted by rising temperatures,” according to the report, which points to the past 10 years—2015 to 2024—as being the warmest on record.

For example, WHO and WMO state that worker productivity decreases by two to three percent for every degree the wet-bulb globe temperature increases above 20 C, and that heat-related risks affect both the long-term health of workers and economic security. The report lists impaired kidney function, dehydration, and neurological dysfunction among the health risks associated with frequent work in hot conditions.

“Daytime temperatures of more than 40 C and even above 50 C are becoming increasingly common, a clear indication that immediate action is needed to address the worsening impact of heat stress on workers worldwide,” the organizations’ joint news release says.

The joint WHO-WMO report urges policymakers, public health officials, and employers to take action to mitigate the risks of extreme heat among workers. The organizations’ recommendations focus on developing occupational heat-health policies, increasing education and awareness regarding the recognition and treatment of heat stress symptoms, and engaging all stakeholders to ensure the relevance of and support for local occupational heat action programs.

Additional areas that WHO and WMO recommend policymakers and others address include protecting vulnerable workers, such as those with chronic health conditions, and supporting future research on heat stress. The full report is available from the WHO website.

Ref:

A new report published on Aug. 22 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) focuses on evidence and guidance related to climate change and heat stress in the workplace.

09/04/2025

Ref:

In a groundbreaking step toward sustainable hydration, scientists in Switzerland have developed edible water bubbles made from seaweed extract — offering a deliciously clever alternative to plastic bottles. These biodegradable orbs are filled with clean drinking water and can be popped straight in...

08/11/2025

Prayers are pouring in after three young football players died before the start of the 2025 high school football season.

Three young football players have lost their lives ahead of the start of the 2025 high school football season. The 2025 football season is right around the corner. Teams in the NFL have already begun preseason games. Meanwhile, in college football, games begin in less than a month.

Tragically, three high school football programs in the United States have found tragedy, as three players have lost their lives suddenly ahead of the start of the season. Prayers are now pouring in.

Two players died due to issues while practicing in the heat, according to their family members. A 16-year-old football player in Memphis and a 15-year-old player in Atlanta died. “By the time I got there, he’s in the back of an ambulance, lethargic, unconscious, no eyes open and barely able to breathe,” the mother of the 16-year-old player in Memphis said.

Ref:

Prayers are pouring in after three young football players suddenly died this week.

07/21/2025

Chelsea defied expectations with a stunning 3-0 win against European soccer champions Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup soccer final. Extreme temperatures peaked after a heat dome settled over the U.S. Amid a heat emergency in Philadelphia, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said it was “impossible” to train properly with the 98.6°F weather. Midfielder Enzo Fernandez said the 96°F heat during Chelsea’s semi-final was so hot that he “had to lie down on the ground” after feeling “really dizzy.”

Severe conditions have raised concerns ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The Club World Cup was a dress rehearsal of next year’s tournament, but it tested players’ capacity to withstand the realities of a warming world and how organizers and teams plan to protect them.

Climate change is making extreme heat a significant issue across all summer sports. In 2020, Australian rugby league player Keith Titmuss died from exertional heat stroke after a pre-season training session. In 2021, Daniil Medvedev raised concern of heat stress while playing tennis at the Tokyo Olympics. 75% of athletes surveyed by World Athletics (2023) said their health and performance was negatively impacted by climate change.

The Club World Cup fears that extreme heat will intensify the effects of soccer’s already overpacked schedule and how it impacts player welfare. FIFA claimed to reach “consensus” over rest periods with players by agreeing to 72 hours between matches and three weeks rest between seasons.

FIFA guidelines permit a cooling break midway through each half when the Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) reaches 89.6°F. This standard is used around the world to determine when heat reaches a dangerous level, considering temperature, humidity, wind speed, solar load, and cloud cover.

But scientists are concerned that 89.6°F underestimates player strain because WBGT considers environmental factors and not metabolic load. Following FIFPRO’s intervention, FIFA lowered the threshold for cooling breaks at the Club World Cup to 82.4°F, while increasing water, ice, and towels around the pitch.

While Major League Soccer’s WBGT threshold is 84.2°F, FIFPRO states that matches should be postponed if the WBGT exceeds 82.4°F. Three Club World Cup matches exceeded these levels, where temperatures peaked at 104°F in Charlotte, N.C. Almost 50% of the matches were scheduled at either noon or 3:00 p.m.

To estimate the WBGT at the 2026 World Cup host locations, Queen's University Belfast published a 2025 study using meteorological data from 2003-2022. Researchers found that summer average temperatures in 14 out of 16 host cities in the afternoon exceeded 82.4°F, while 6 cities exceeded the 89.6°F threshold.

The Club World Cup isn’t the first event prompting a schedule-change. At the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, 65% of matches kicked off at 12:00 p.m. despite temperatures exceeding 100°F. Read more at:

Teams endured extreme heat during the Club World Cup—seen as a test for how FIFA will protect players next year.

07/01/2025

Even though water is the most abundant substance in the human body, it doesn’t always get the respect it deserves. Nearly half of adults in the U.S. consume less than the recommended amount of water per day, according to a 2023 CivicScience poll of nearly 2,861 people. That’s a problem—because staying well hydrated is one of the simplest and most best ways to support health.

For starters, it’s essential for body temperature regulation, joint lubrication, digestion, detoxification, nutrient transport, energy production, and heart and brain function. In addition, proper hydration is associated with a lower risk of developing chronic diseases, dying prematurely, and being biologically older than your actual age, according to recent research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Myth: Adults should consume 64 ounces of water per day. The Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has specific guidelines for men and women. To stay adequately hydrated, women should consume 11½ cups of water per day, and men should have 15½ cups per day.

Myth: Thirst is a reliable sign that you need water. Thirst is a helpful signal, it’s more like a later warning light. By the time you feel thirsty, you’re already a bit behind on hydration. This is especially true for older adults, as their thirst mechanism becomes less sensitive with age, increasing the risk of dehydration.

Myth: Drinking fluids is the only way to stay hydrated. About 20% of fluid intake comes from foods with a high water content—fruits, vegetables, soups, stews. Summer staples, such as watermelon, cucumbers, tomatoes, berries, grapes, and leafy greens, are all great options; even smoothies and cold soups like gazpacho count.

Myth: Chugging water at once keeps you well-hydrated. Believe it or not, it is possible to overhydrate by drinking more fluid than the body can flush out. It’s called hyponatremia, where sodium levels become dangerously low because there’s too much fluid in the body. This can lead to symptoms such as nausea, headache, confusion, muscle weakness, and, in severe cases, seizures.

Myth: Drinking coffee or caffeinated tea can make you dehydrated. Coffee and tea counts toward hydration. After all, coffee and tea are made of water. Similarly, it’s a myth that sparkling water (or seltzer) is dehydrating.

Myth: Sports drinks are better than water during workouts. Not necessarily. It depends on how long and hard you’ll be exercising and what the conditions. If you’re going for a short walk or exercising in cool weather for less than an hour, water is fine. But if you sweat heavily or if you’re exercising intensely or for more than an hour, it’s best to add some electrolytes from a low-sugar electrolyte powder.

Read more at:

06/28/2025

A central South Carolina umpire died last weekend after collapsing due to heat stroke, according to officials.

Mitchell Huggins, 61, was at a park working as an umpire during a softball tournament on June 21 when he passed out, reported local media outlets WIS and WACH.

A bystander began performing CPR on him, then when EMS arrived, they continued trying to save Huggins, Sumter County Coroner Robbie Baker told USA TODAY on June 27. He was taken to a local hospital where he later died, Baker said.

An autopsy showed that Huggins died of heat stroke, and "prior heart issues" also played a role in his death, the coroner said.

Weather readings showed a high of 92 degrees in the Sumter area and the heat index was in the upper 90s, said Matt Gropp, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Columbia.

And while there is currently a heat wave impacting multiple states in the U.S., Gropp said the upper 90s is normal for the Sumter area.

“It was still, unfortunately, really hazardous,” he added, referring to Huggins’ death. “Even (on) a normal summer day, it's really hot down here, and it can lead to problems.”

Huggins was working an event for Perfect Game tournaments, reported WIS. Perfect Game has not responded to USA TODAY’s requests for comment.

Calling Huggins’ passing “an unfortunate incident,” Sumter County officials said the event took place at Patriot Park, in Sumter County, South Carolina, about 48 miles east of Columbia.

“Mr. Huggins apparently fell ill, 911 was called and he was transported to the hospital,” Sumter County officials told USA TODAY on June 27. “We will keep the family of Mr. Huggins in our prayers.”

His sister, Pamela Rufus, told WIS that someone called her via video chat after her brother collapsed. At one point, he regained consciousness and she was able to speak to see him before he passed out again.

“He was just lifeless,” Rufus told WIS. “He didn’t even look like himself.” She said while some people on site tried to save him, others began praying.

She told WIS that his death could’ve been prevented, and that her brother had told someone at the event that it was hot out. Still, she said she wants him to be remembered for doing what he loved and helping kids. ‘You never forgot that smile’

The day after Huggins died, an administrator for local nonprofit TopGun Softball of SC said they knew him for quite some time. Organizers considered him a longtime friend, according to the post.

“My heart is still heavy today,” the post read. “Mitch wasn’t just an umpire I worked with — he was a friend. A man I first met when my boys played 9U baseball in Hartsville. They’re 17 and 18 now… and if you ever met Mitch, you never forgot that smile, that laugh, and most of all, his love for the kids and the game.”

The organization said Huggins touched the lives of hundreds of children with his encouragement, “infectious energy,” and commitment to young athletes.

Community members have also started a GoFundMe to help with burial expenses. Organizer Wendy Walsh said in the fundraiser description that Huggins comes from a large family and leaves behind a 14-year-old son whose birthday is in early July.

“Mitch dedicated so much of himself to our community, youth, coaches, umpires, and families,” Walsh wrote. "Please join us in raising funds to help cover the funeral expenses and any other needs the family may encounter.”

Ref:

Weather readings showed a high of 92 degrees in the Sumter area on June 21, said Columbia area meteorologist Matt Gropp.

06/24/2025

While this presentation is dedicated to baseball and softball officials, it has application to all summer sports both professional and recreational. Heat-related illness is becoming more prevalent due to climate change. Officials, players, coaches and spectators need to protect themselves from the heat and humidity.

This presentation does not cover all of the heat-related illness issues but provide some understanding and guidance to follow. Staying healthy and safety is the priority so please review this information carefully. If you have any questions, feel free to talk with your physician or board certified industrial hygienist who has expertise in the field.

Recreational sports, particularly during tournaments, can be more severe. Officials don't get breaks like the teams and even the spectators because they are there one a single match or game. Officials are paid to officiate the game or match and continue on to the next without rest. The cognitive, behavioral, and physiological demand for performance diminishes with time due to the effect of heat and humidity.

So, next time, the official blows the call, it's not because he doesn't know the rules, it's because he is physically tired from the heat. Umpires working multiple games should rest between games to maintain performance. It is completely unreasonable to work games in oppressive heat and humidity. Ref:

While this presentation is dedicated to baseball and softball officials, it has application to all summer sports both professional and recreational. Heat-rel...