As summer approaches, officials with OSHA and the National Weather Service are reminding workers and their employers to be mindful of the heat. Young men in the construction industry are especially vulnerable to heat related illness and death.
Doctor David Michaels is the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. He says whenever there is excessive heat, outdoor workers are at an increased risk for heat related illness and death. He says most work related heat deaths occur within the first few days of working in the heat.
“That’s why it’s very important for employers to allow workers to gradually build up their tolerance for the heat early in the season,” Michaels says. “That’s true for new workers, temporary workers, even seasoned workers who’ve been away from the heat for a week or more or at the beginning of a heat wave. Employers need to be especially concerned about these workers in the heat. We tell employers that they need to ensure that their employees drink water every 15 minutes, even if they’re not thirsty.”
Michaels says it’s important for employees to have adequate breaks in the shade or air conditioning. He says workers should wear a hat and light colored clothing, know the signs and symptoms of heat illnesses, and report those symptoms early. He says people working in hot indoor environments need to be mindful of the temperature as well.
An App is available to help workers and supervisors calculate the heat index at their worksite and risk level to outdoor workers. Click here for more information.