AUGUSTA — Maine labor officials say a new app is available to help people who work outdoors calculate the heat index and avoid heat-related illnesses.

Labor Commissioner Robert Winglass says the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has created a Heat Safety Tool that provides information on a mobile phone. Using the app, workers and supervisors can calculate the heat index for their worksite.

The heat index is a measurement of air temperature in relation to relative humidity. It indicates what the temperature “feels like.”

Based on the heat index, the heat safety app displays a message for people working outdoors and provides reminders for the precautions that should be taken at certain risk levels.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.