The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a call to action today urging employers to protect their employees from heat-related illnesses and injuries by providing water, rest, and shade.
Extreme heat can have extreme consequences (heat stress, dehydration, heat stroke, death) for those who work outdoors, like construction and agricultural workers.
If a job requires working long hours outdoors during the summer, the employer should take necessary and simple steps to keep workers safe, including:
- Scheduling frequent water breaks.
- Providing shaded areas.
- Allowing enough time to rest.
Download this GBCA Toolbox Talk about Heat-Related Stress and Illness:
OSHA encourages both employers and workers to use its free Heat Safety Tool App, which calculates the heat index for a worksite, and displays the risk level to outdoor workers. With a simple click, users can get reminders about protective measures that should be taken at that risk level to protect workers from heat-related illness. The free app is available in English and Spanish for iPhone and Android devices.
Click below to learn more about OSHA’s Heat Awareness resources and to download the app:
