A Practical Heat Safety Guide for Dry Cleaning Operations

Summer is one of the busiest seasons for garment care businesses. It is also one of the most physically demanding.

Long production days, increased customer volume, and higher temperatures combine to place additional stress on both employees and equipment. While many people associate heat illness with outdoor occupations, dry cleaning plants present their own unique challenges.

Boilers, shirt units, presses, steam tunnels, finishing stations, mechanical rooms, loading docks, and delivery vehicles can all create environments where temperatures rise well above what employees experience outside.

Heat affects far more than comfort.

It affects judgment.

It affects productivity.

It affects safety.

For business owners, heat management should be viewed as another operational system that deserves planning, accountability, and daily attention.

Why Heat Matters

Heat stress develops when the body cannot cool itself efficiently.

As employees become overheated, they may experience fatigue, dehydration, dizziness, slower reaction times, and reduced concentration. These conditions increase the likelihood of production errors, equipment accidents, customer service mistakes, and workplace injuries.

The busiest weeks of the year are often the hottest weeks of the year.

That combination deserves attention.

Heat Is an Operational Issue

Many owners think of heat as simply another uncomfortable part of summer.

Successful operations treat it differently.

They recognize that excessive heat affects:

• Productivity
• Employee morale
• Decision-making
• Quality control
• Workplace safety
• Customer service

The goal is not simply keeping employees comfortable.

The goal is maintaining safe, consistent performance throughout the day.

Start Every Morning with a Heat Assessment

Before production begins, supervisors should evaluate working conditions for the day.

Daily Heat Planning Checklist

□ Review today's forecast and heat index.

□ Identify the hottest work areas.

□ Confirm drinking water is available throughout the plant.

□ Verify fans and ventilation systems are operating correctly.

□ Adjust production schedules if extreme heat is expected.

□ Rotate employees working in high-heat locations whenever practical.

Planning takes only a few minutes but can significantly reduce heat-related problems later in the day.

Monitor Conditions Throughout the Shift

Heat conditions change as production increases.

Supervisors should regularly observe employees rather than waiting for someone to ask for help.

Supervisor Checklist

□ Encourage employees to drink water frequently.

□ Schedule regular cooling breaks.

□ Rotate employees between hot and cooler workstations.

□ Monitor new employees closely as they acclimate.

□ Watch for signs of fatigue, confusion, or dizziness.

□ Modify workloads if temperatures continue to rise.

Know the Warning Signs

Recognizing symptoms early can prevent a medical emergency.

Heat Exhaustion

Common symptoms include:

• Heavy sweating
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea
• Cool, clammy skin

Employees experiencing these symptoms should move to a cool area, drink water, loosen restrictive clothing, and be monitored until they recover.

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency.

Watch for:

• Confusion
• Slurred speech
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Hot skin
• High body temperature

Call emergency medical services immediately if heat stroke is suspected.

While waiting for responders, begin cooling the individual using cool water, ice packs, or other available cooling methods.

High-Risk Areas Inside the Plant

Certain areas should receive additional attention during the summer months.

Daily Plant Walkthrough

□ Boiler room

□ Shirt unit

□ Utility presses

□ Steam tunnels

□ Finishing stations

□ Mechanical rooms

□ Loading dock

□ Delivery vehicles

Conditions can change throughout the day, making regular walkthroughs important.

Every Plant Needs a Heat Plan

One of the most common management mistakes is assuming someone else is paying attention.

Heat safety should have clear ownership.

Weekly Management Review

Ask these questions:

• Who is responsible for monitoring heat conditions?
• Have employees received heat illness training?
• Is drinking water always available?
• Are cooling breaks being taken?
• Are supervisors actively monitoring employees?
• Does everyone know emergency procedures?

If any answer is uncertain, the plan needs improvement.

Good Systems Reduce Risk

Strong operations do not wait for problems before taking action.

They build systems that prevent problems from occurring.

Heat management follows the same principle.

A written plan, clear supervisory responsibility, regular monitoring, and consistent communication help reduce injuries while supporting better operational performance.

The objective is not simply OSHA compliance.

The objective is protecting your people while maintaining the quality, consistency, and professionalism your customers expect.

Practical Action for This Week

Choose one manager or supervisor to own heat safety each day.

Before production begins:

• Review temperatures.
• Inspect high-heat areas.
• Confirm water availability.
• Monitor employee conditions throughout the shift.
• Adjust workloads as needed.

When responsibility is clear, heat safety becomes part of your operational system rather than an afterthought.

Additional Resources

Visit OSHA's Heat Illness Prevention resources for current guidance, educational materials, and planning tools, and review them alongside your company's existing safety procedures. Adapt the recommendations to fit your facility, equipment, staffing, and local working conditions.