OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool icon
OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool: Comprehensive Review of Workplace Heat Protection App

by Centers For Disease Control and Prevention

2.5
IOSWeather
Government-developed iOS application providing real-time heat index monitoring and safety recommendations for outdoor workers. Offers location-specific risk assessments with OSHA/NIOSH compliance guidelines for heat illness prevention.

Detailed Review

The OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool represents a specialized mobile application developed by federal health and safety agencies to address occupational heat exposure risks. This free iOS application serves as a digital companion for outdoor workers and safety professionals, delivering authoritative heat safety guidance directly from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's research divisions. The application's core functionality centers on real-time heat index calculations based on user location, combining temperature and humidity data to generate risk assessments. It provides color-coded risk levels ranging from lower to extreme danger, accompanied by specific OSHA-recommended protective measures. The hourly forecast feature allows for shift planning, while educational sections detail heat illness symptoms, first aid procedures, and employer compliance requirements. All content is available in both English and Spanish, addressing language diversity in outdoor workforces. User experience demonstrates a utilitarian interface prioritizing clarity over aesthetic appeal. The home screen displays current conditions through a prominent visual indicator, with navigation tabs accessing detailed recommendations. Real-world usage patterns show workers checking the app multiple times daily, particularly before and during outdoor shifts. The interface's simplicity enables quick risk assessment even in field conditions, though some users report occasional performance issues affecting reliability. User feedback reveals significant reliability concerns despite recent updates addressing stability problems. Multiple reviews from May 2024 (Mom in SWFL, 2024-05-25; treetopper75, 2024-05-25) documented application crashes that rendered the tool unusable, though subsequent updates appear to have resolved these issues according to July 2024 feedback (GrannysMoistToe, 2024-07-19). Positive reviews highlight the app's precision and practical value for outdoor workers like turtle brooks (2024-08-01), who relies on its hourly breakdowns and symptom identification features during summer work. The application's primary strength lies in its authoritative, research-backed content from federal safety agencies, making it uniquely trustworthy for compliance purposes. However, its 2.45 rating reflects persistent technical reliability issues that undermine its utility as a dependable safety tool. The app serves best as a supplemental planning resource rather than a primary safety monitoring system, particularly valuable for safety managers coordinating outdoor work schedules and needing official heat illness prevention guidelines.

Key Features

  • Real-time heat index calculator using location-based temperature and humidity data to determine immediate risk levels
  • Hourly forecast functionality enabling shift planning based on predicted heat conditions throughout the workday
  • Color-coded risk indicator system with corresponding OSHA-recommended protective measures for each danger level
  • Comprehensive educational resources detailing heat illness symptoms, prevention strategies, and first aid procedures
  • Bilingual interface providing all safety information in both English and Spanish for diverse workforce accessibility
  • OSHA/NIOSH compliance guidelines offering authoritative recommendations for employer heat safety protocols

Why Users Love It

Authoritative government-developed content
Practical safety recommendations

Perfect for: Outdoor workers, safety managers, and employers requiring heat illness prevention guidance

Screenshots

OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool screenshot 1OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool screenshot 2OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool screenshot 3OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool screenshot 4OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool screenshot 5OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool screenshot 6

Ranking History

Track OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool's performance in Weather over the last 30 days

Top 5
Top 10
Top 15
Below 15

Current Rank

#37

Best Rank

#37

All-time high

Average Rank

#37

30-day average

User Reviews

treetopper75
May 25, 2024

I am a safety manager and have used this for years. App back to its trusted condition I am a safety manager and have used this for years.

Mom in SWFL
May 25, 2024

*Update* The heat index app is now working as it should. Thank you for fixing it! App isn’t working, it auto closes, please fix so I can check the heat index again Auto closes. *Update* The heat index app is now working as it should. Thank you for fixing it! App isn’t working, it auto closes, please fix so I can check the heat index again

blessed, forgiven, saved!
Aug 2, 2024

I travel the country and have referred to this app in many places. It is always precise, accurate and very helpful. I love the precautionary, symptom and fist aide tabs….. Also available in Spanish so communication is not an issue. Love it and share it with everyone! Great tool for everyone I travel the country and have referred to this app in many places.It is always precise, accurate and very helpful.I love the precautionary, symptom and fist aide tabs…..Also available in Spanish so communication is not an issue.Love it and share it with everyone!

GrannysMoistToe
Jul 19, 2024

Had an issue that wouldn’t allow me to open it. It’s fixed now so everything’s kosher on my end It’s been updated Had an issue that wouldn’t allow me to open it. It’s fixed now so everything’s kosher on my end

turtle brooks
Aug 1, 2024

I work outside , middle of day, middle of summer every year all year. Have had this app for about 5 months now and it is my go to. Allows me to avoid days that are in extreme, shows what symptoms to look out for in heat related health issues and what to do when they happen. Breaks it down hourly, the temp and “feels like” categories. It overall I like this app. Works for me I work outside , middle of day, middle of summer every year all year. Have had this app for about 5 months now and it is my go to. Allows me to avoid days that are in extreme, shows what symptoms to look out for in heat related health issues and what to do when they happen. Breaks it down hourly, the temp and “feels like” categories. It overall I like this app.

App Details

Developer

Centers For Disease Control and Prevention

Platform

ios

Rating

2.5

Last Updated

9/6/2025