Prevention and management of heat-related illness at mass gatherings: Considerations for implementation

This document, titled "Prevention and management of heat-related illness at mass gatherings: considerations for implementation," was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) under the Beat the Heat initiative. It synthesizes findings from a companion systematic review, established WHO, International Labour Organization (ILO) and World Meteorological Organization (WMO) guidance, and practical experience from mass gathering events. The document draws on input from a diverse, globally representative steering and review group, with stakeholder feedback and a consensus-based process.

Authors find that extreme heat poses predictable risks for mass gatherings, affecting health, safety and event operations. The authors recommend integrating heat stress risk into all event plans, conducting structured risk assessment based on hazard, exposure, vulnerability and capacity, and implementing a tiered, layered package of controls. Measures should prioritize engineering and administrative interventions, such as cooling infrastructure, safe water, exposure reduction, and workforce protection, with behavioural advice only as a complement when the environment enables safe choices. Responsibility for managing heat risk is shared across sectors, and actions must be planned, tracked and escalated according to risk level.