Athletic Heat Safety Standards in the United States
As technology and concerns over rising global temperatures have developed, across the United States, athletic associations have adopted more advanced heat monitoring systems. Specifically, many states have made the switch from utilizing a heat index to utilizing the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) measurement system and its subsequent devices. This system more accurately assesses the risk of heat and its biological impacts by including wind speed, temperature and humidity in its risk calculations. Below is a list of all fifty states within the United States in addition to the District of Columbia and their stances on the usage of the WBGT for risk assessment.
Strong recommendation/ mandatory usage of WBGT
Still prefers to utilize heat index/ no recommendation for WBGT
No preference, stance, or requirements for either heat index or WBGT
Alabama - strict heat acclimatization protocols, activities must be adjusted based on the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT).
Source — Alabama High School Athletic Association describing how WBGT is the first choice before heat index for assessing environment
Alaska - focus on just monitoring, just general awareness encouraged
Source — Lists WBGT as part of equipment for preparation under the exertional heat illness policy
Arizona - strict monitoring of the WBGT
Source — States directly that the state bases its heat policy on WBGT
Arkansas - WBGT monitoring required
Source — States directly that the state bases its heat policy on WBGT
California - requires schools to monitor environmental conditions using the WBGT
Source — Encourages WBGT usage and provides informational video
Colorado - advised to monitor based on WBGT
Source — Official handbook states WBGT can be used as guideline for environmental evaluation
Connecticut - advised to monitor WBGT
Source — States WBGT as best practice for determining guidelines for activity regarding heat
Florida - mandatory to monitor WBGT
Source — States environmental monitoring can be done using WBGT system as it takes into account more environmental factors
Illinois - mandated use of WBGT
Source — Informational videos regarding WBGT directly from Kestrel + purchasing links
Louisiana - recommended use of WBGT
Source — News article announcing wet bulb globe temp is to guide Louisiana school sports safety
Maine - recommended use of WBGT
Source — Guidelines for Maine communities stating usage of WBGT for athletic risk evaluation
Maryland - required to monitor WBGT
Source — Mention of coaches watching not only athlete performance but the WBGT
Michigan - utilizes heat index
Source — Proposes actions based on heat index, no direct nod to usage of WBGT
Minnesota - required to monitor WBGT
Source — States updated heat policy to usage of both WBGT & the Heat Index
Montana - no formal standardized monitoring of either, just awareness
Source — Stresses more so acclimatization over measuring of indexes
New Jersey - required use of WBGT
Source — States evidence says that WBGT should be standard instead of heat index
North Carolina - required monitoring of WBGT
Source — States to measure WBGT if it can be done so accurately on sight
North Dakota - no required heat index or WBGT monitoring
Source — States that uses neither heat index of WBGT for monitoring
Tennessee - WBGT monitoring required
Source — States schools responsible for obtaining WBGT measuring devices
Washington - uses heat index
Source — No mention of WBGT directs users directly to heat index calculator
West Virginia - required WBGT monitoring
Source — Consistently referencing the WBGT when making decisions related to heat concerns
Wisconsin - WBGT monitoring is encouraged
Source — Explicit charting of thresholds and indexes of WBGT
Wyoming - no monitoring using either system required
Source — No mention of heat index or WBGT, just awareness of acclimatization