In April 2022, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a new national emphasis program to reduce “workplace heat-related illnesses and injuries”, and to immediately “improve enforcement and compliance efforts, while continuing long-term work to establish a heat illness prevention rule.” The program takes effect immediately.
In a press release, the Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh stated: “Tragically, the three-year average of workplace deaths caused by heat has doubled since the early 1990s. These extreme heat hazards aren’t limited to outdoor occupations, the seasons or geography. From farm workers in California to construction workers in Texas and warehouse workers in Pennsylvania, heat illness–exacerbated by our climate’s rising temperatures–presents a growing hazard for millions of workers.”
OSHA plans to increase its enforcement of heat-related workplace safety. OSHA will “proactively initiate inspections in over 70 high-risk industries in indoor and outdoor work settings when the National Weather Service has issued a heat warning or advisory for a local area. On days when the heat index is 80° F or higher, OSHA inspectors and compliance assistance specialists will engage in proactive outreach and technical assistance to help stakeholders keep workers safe on the job. Inspectors will look for and address heat hazards during inspections, regardless of whether the industry is targeted in the [National Emphasis Program].”
These new steps taken by OSHA are designed to safeguard that workers go home safe at the end of the day, so employers should be ready to work with OSHA personnel to safeguard that workers do not suffer heat-related injury. Employers should pay special attention to new hires that have yet to become acclimated to workplace heat and workers over sixty, who are generally less able to handle heat. However, all workers that are subject to heat in the workplace should be monitored for heat-related illness.
OSHA has published warnings on heat exposure that emphasize keeping an eye out for heat-related problems before they become serious Some of the heaviest types of work include:
Any activity done at near maximum pace
Climbing stairs, ladder, or ramp
Using an ax
Intense shoveling or digging
Sledgehammer use
Stacking concrete
Brick or stone masonry
Firefighting
Rapid marching or physical fitness training
These types of activities can involve farm or factory work, welding, roofing, working with hot tar, or working in a bakery or metal shop. It can also involve carrying heavy loads indoors or out. Work that elevates a worker’s heart and respiration rates through exertion is work that can lead to heat-related injury. Workers exposed to such conditions should be given rest breaks, work during the cooler parts of the day, and frequent water breaks. According to OSHA, when temperatures are above 77°F (25°C), there is a high risk of heat-related illness with strenuous work.
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