Heat waves are rolling throughout the country right now, with many areas reaching well over 100 degrees each day. Roofers working in these extreme temperatures could develop one or more of a variety of heat-related illnesses, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

"Every year, dozens of workers die and thousands more become ill while working in hot or humid conditions," according to OSHA.

And workers who are over the age of 65, have heart disease or high blood pressure, are overweight or take medications are at an even greater risk of heat stress, according to the CDC.

One of the ways to prevent heat illness is by wearing clothing items with built-in cooling technology — like those mentioned our previous article, "Cool Threads."

But there are many more ways to prevent protect yourself and your workers from heat-related health issues.

For additional information, visit:

• osha.gov/heat/general-education
• osha.gov/heat-exposure
• cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/recommendations.html