Arizona ReadinessAction checklist

Arizona Extreme-Heat Patrol Readiness Checklist

An Arizona extreme-heat patrol checklist helps employers and supervisors confirm a current heat-illness prevention plan, forecast and HeatRisk review, acclimatization, water, cool recovery areas, work-rest controls, communication, buddy checks, emergency response, vehicle readiness and post-shift documentation. Heat risk depends on more than air temperature; direct sun, radiant heat, humidity, workload, clothing, personal factors and limited overnight relief also matter. The employer and qualified safety professionals must set work and rest decisions. This checklist is not medical advice, a substitute for current ADOSH or OSHA requirements, or permission to keep working when conditions are unsafe. Suspected heat stroke is a medical emergency: call 911 and follow trained emergency procedures.

20 checks5 sectionsSources checked July 19, 2026
Why it matters

Use a system view, not a single-control view

Arizona's Industrial Commission identifies high temperatures, radiant heat, humidity, hot objects and strenuous work as conditions with potential for heat-related illness. NWS Phoenix describes heat as Arizona's deadliest weather hazard and uses HeatRisk to communicate changing risk.

Security work can combine direct sun, long periods standing, body armor or dark uniforms, hot vehicles and isolated locations. The plan therefore needs reliable supplies, real check-ins and authority to modify or stop work before symptoms become an emergency.

Before you begin

How to use this checklist

  1. Have the employer's safety leader and security supervisor adapt the checklist to each post, patrol method, uniform, schedule and environment.
  2. Review the NWS forecast, HeatRisk and applicable alerts before the shift and again when conditions or duties change.
  3. Verify water, cool recovery, check-ins, communications, transport and emergency contacts before assigning exposed work.
  4. Record Needs action and adjust or stop the task when a critical control is missing; do not ask a guard to push through symptoms.
  5. Review any symptoms, near miss, missed check-in or emergency afterward and correct the plan, staffing or equipment.
Interactive checklist

Mark each task from current evidence

Use Not applicable only when the item genuinely does not apply, and follow the site’s approved escalation process for any urgent condition.

Section 1 of 5

Plan, forecast and authority

The shift should begin with a current employer plan and objective triggers for changing work.

01The employer has a current heat-illness prevention plan that covers the assigned post, patrol method and emergency response. Priority review item

Evidence to look for: Review current ADOSH resources and have a qualified safety professional address duties, controls, training, acclimatization and emergencies.

02The supervisor has reviewed the location-specific NWS forecast, HeatRisk and active heat alerts for the full shift. Priority review item

Evidence to look for: Account for the shift start, peak heat, evening heat and overnight low rather than relying on a single current temperature.

03The plan identifies who can shorten, reschedule, relocate, add staffing to or stop heat-exposed tasks. Priority review item

Evidence to look for: Workers must know how to report discomfort or symptoms without pressure to continue and how a supervisor responds.

04New and returning workers are covered by an employer-approved acclimatization and closer-supervision process. Priority review item

Evidence to look for: NIOSH recommends gradual exposure over 7 to 14 days, with different schedules for new and experienced workers returning to heat.

Section 2 of 5

Water, rest and cool recovery

Supplies and recovery areas must exist at the point of work, not only on paper.

05Cool potable water is available near the work area in sufficient quantity for the shift. Priority review item

Evidence to look for: OSHA advises frequent drinking before thirst; the employer should estimate, provide and replenish supplies.

06The employer plan addresses electrolyte replacement for prolonged work and heavy sweating.

Evidence to look for: OSHA advises access to electrolyte-containing fluids for longer jobs; individual medical restrictions require appropriate professional guidance.

07A shaded, air-conditioned or otherwise suitably cool recovery area is available and reachable. Priority review item

Evidence to look for: Examples may include an air-conditioned building or vehicle or an effective shaded recovery area approved by the employer.

08Work and rest periods reflect heat stress, task intensity, sun, humidity, clothing and individual acclimatization. Priority review item

Evidence to look for: A qualified employer or safety professional should set the schedule; breaks should increase as heat stress rises.

Section 3 of 5

Staffing, clothing and communication

Heat can affect judgment and balance, so isolated workers need dependable monitoring and help.

09A buddy or supervisor check-in process covers workers exposed to heat, including isolated posts and mobile patrols. Priority review item

Evidence to look for: Define check frequency, who initiates contact and what happens after a missed check; NIOSH recommends a buddy system.

10Radios, phones and backup communication are charged, functional and reliable along the assigned route. Priority review item

Evidence to look for: Complete approved checks and identify known coverage gaps without publishing them.

11Uniform, body armor, PPE and equipment heat burden has been considered in the work plan.

Evidence to look for: Protective equipment may increase heat risk; only authorized leaders may change required uniform or PPE rules.

12Workers can identify heat-illness symptoms in themselves and others and know how to report them immediately. Priority review item

Evidence to look for: Training should cover heat exhaustion, heat stroke and other heat illness without expecting guards to diagnose a medical condition.

Section 4 of 5

Route, vehicle and post readiness

Adjust the physical assignment so help and cooling remain available throughout the shift.

13Foot and bicycle patrol duration, route and timing reduce avoidable peak-heat exposure under the employer plan.

Evidence to look for: Consider shaded alternatives, shorter segments, added staffing and indoor tasks without creating predictable public patrol details.

14Patrol vehicles have functioning cooling, adequate fuel or charge, water and a communication method before deployment. Priority review item

Evidence to look for: A vehicle is not a reliable cool recovery area if air conditioning fails or it cannot remain safely operated.

15The assignment avoids unnecessary contact with sun-heated metal, roofs, asphalt and enclosed spaces with accumulated heat. Priority review item

Evidence to look for: Evaluate surface and radiant heat as well as air temperature; specialized confined-space rules may apply.

16The post has a clear route for emergency responders and transport to medical care. Priority review item

Evidence to look for: Personnel should know the site address, access point and how to guide responders without delaying a 911 call.

Section 5 of 5

Symptoms, emergency action and review

Symptoms end the routine checklist and activate trained assistance.

17Workers understand that confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures or other suspected heat-stroke signs require an immediate 911 call. Priority review item

Evidence to look for: Heat stroke is a medical emergency; begin employer-trained cooling and first aid while following dispatcher instructions.

18Any worker with possible heat-illness symptoms stops exertion, reaches a cool area and receives prompt evaluation under the employer plan. Priority review item

Evidence to look for: Do not leave a symptomatic person alone or send the person to drive themselves; escalation depends on symptoms and trained guidance.

19The shift record captures forecast level, major controls, symptoms, missed checks and task modifications.

Evidence to look for: Protect medical privacy and record operational facts needed for safety review.

20Heat-related symptoms, near misses and equipment failures receive a documented after-action review.

Evidence to look for: Evaluate forecast use, acclimatization, water, recovery, staffing, communication and supervisory decisions.

Current result

Complete the checklist to see a summary

Results are informational and do not certify compliance or eliminate risk.

Common mistakes

What can weaken the review

  • Using air temperature alone and ignoring sun, radiant heat, humidity, workload, clothing and overnight heat.
  • Relying on thirst instead of accessible water and scheduled reminders.
  • Treating an uncooled or unreliable vehicle as a recovery area.
  • Assigning a new or returning worker a full hot-work load without acclimatization.
  • Leaving a symptomatic worker alone or allowing the person to drive themselves.
Practical questions

Frequently asked questions

Is there one temperature at which Arizona security patrols must stop?

A single air temperature does not capture the full risk. Employers should consider official alerts and HeatRisk, radiant heat, sun, humidity, workload, clothing, acclimatization and individual factors with qualified safety guidance.

What should a heat-illness prevention plan include?

At minimum, evaluate responsibilities, training, acclimatization, water, cool recovery, work-rest controls, communication, emergency response and program review. Use current ADOSH, OSHA and NIOSH guidance for the actual worksite.

Can an air-conditioned patrol vehicle serve as a cool recovery area?

It may if the employer approves it and the vehicle can provide dependable cooling safely throughout the shift. A vehicle with failed cooling, inadequate fuel or charge, or unsafe parking is not a reliable control.

Why are new and returning guards at added risk?

They may not be acclimatized to the heat. NIOSH recommends gradually increasing exposure over 7 to 14 days and closer supervision for new workers and those returning after time away.

What should happen if a guard appears confused in the heat?

Treat confusion as a possible heat-stroke warning. Call 911 immediately, stop exertion, move toward cooling if it is safe, stay with the person and follow trained first aid and dispatcher instructions.

Sources and evidence baseline

These references support the general planning baseline. Site-specific decisions still require the responsible organization and appropriate qualified professionals.

  1. Heat Illness PreventionIndustrial Commission of Arizona and ADOSH

    Current Arizona heat resources, employer checklist, prevention program, inspection and consultation references.

  2. Heat: Water, Rest, ShadeOccupational Safety and Health Administration

    Accessible water, electrolyte considerations, increasing rest and cool recovery areas.

  3. Workplace Recommendations for Heat StressNational Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

    Engineering and administrative controls, buddy systems, hydration, rest and acclimatization.

  4. NWS Phoenix Heat PageNational Weather Service Phoenix

    Arizona heat risk, HeatRisk interpretation, alerts and heat-safety context.

Source links checked: July 19, 2026

Related services and checklists

Continue with the service context or a neighboring planning tool that helps you act on what you found.