WHAT IS HEAT STRESS?

Heat stress is a condition that occurs when the body is unable to regulate its internal temperature and cool itself through sweating. Heat stress shows many symptoms and encompasses several heat-induced illnesses such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rashes. These conditions are more likely to occur during hot summer months but may affect workers and athletes in various climates and conditions year-round. The most common composite measurement used to determine appropriate exposure to heat stress conditions is Wet Bulb Globe Temperature or "WBGT."

Featured Blogs

  1. Heat Stress and Weather Terms Glossary: A Plain-English Guide

    Heat Stress and Weather Terms Glossary: A Plain-English Guide Heat safety involves a specific vocabulary that mixes meteorology and occupational health - terms like WBGT, heat index, dew point, heat advisory, and heat dome all describe different things and shouldn't be used interchangeably. WBGT measures actual heat stress on the body using temperature, humidity, radiant heat, and wind; heat index...
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  2. Heat Stress and Athlete Safety: How WBGT Monitoring Protects Athletes at Every Level

    Heat Stress and Athlete Safety: How WBGT Monitoring Protects Athletes at Every Level Athletes face heat stress risks that go beyond typical outdoor activity because of sustained high-intensity exertion, protective equipment, and repeated exposure across a season. Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) - a measurement combining air temperature, humidity, radiant heat, and wind - is the standard tool sports medicine ...
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  3. UIL Class 2 vs. Class 3: Which WBGT Thresholds Apply to Your School?

    UIL Class 2 vs. Class 3: Which WBGT Thresholds Apply to Your School? A County-by-County Guide to Texas UIL Heat Stress Classifications for the 2026-27 School Year Quick answer: Texas UIL schools are divided into two heat stress classifications based on geography. Class 2 applies to West Texas and the Panhandle — regions with lower baseline humidity — and modifications begin at a lower WBGT of 79.7&...
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