scope:

Purpose.

Thermal stress is a physical hazard to personnel, and as such, falls under the Occupational and Environmental Health (OEH) Program regulated under AFI 48-145, Occupational and Environmental Health Program. AFI 48-145 states "the role of Aerospace Medicine relative to human occupational and environmental health focuses on health risk assessment and associated health monitoring, sampling, and surveillance of actual and potential physical, chemical, biological, and radiological hazards, man-made and naturally occurring, in the workplace and community environment." This AFI is an aid to planning, supporting, and safely executing industrial operations, mission directed operations, field exercises and training, community events, and other installation functions affected by heat or cold stress. This AFI also provides guidance for the prevention of thermal illness and injury. It is beyond the scope of this publication to provide comprehensive guidance for the emergency treatment and aftercare of heat illness and cold injury.