| What’s new?
OSHA is implementing a National Emphasis Program (NEP) to ensure employees are protected from heat-related hazards in outdoor and indoor workplaces and to encourage early interventions by employers to prevent illnesses and deaths among workers during high heat conditions.
What’s the plan?
OSHA expects employers with employees who work in high heat conditions to establish an effective heat-related hazard training program that informs workers:
- about the dangers of working in the heat
- how to recognize heat-related hazards, particularly when performing high-risk activities, working outdoors, or in high-risk industries during a heat wave
- effective heat illness prevention measures, emphasizing drinking cool water, taking rest breaks, and taking breaks in a shaded location
- self-monitoring and monitoring others for signs of heat illness
- knowing what actions to take when a worker shows signs of heat illnesses and in the event of a medical emergency
- acclimatization procedures for new and returning workers
Why post?
- OSHA recommends displaying heat illness posters to facilitate training and reinforce heat illness prevention and response techniques. Pamphlets can be distributed to workers for quick reference.
- Citations for failure to provide an adequate heat illness prevention program are issued under the General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act).
|
