Many of those working outdoors can expect to encounter some of the hottest temperatures of the year right now. The threat of heat-related illness and fatalities is real, and it is important to adjust work so it can be completed without harm.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) outlines important considerations for working in heat in its publication Preventing Heat-related Illness or Death of Outdoor Workers. The publication includes a list of preventative controls for safety professionals, case stories useful in communicating the importance of heat safety to others, and what everyone can do to stay safe.
Another useful tool is OSHA’s Heat Safety Tool smartphone app. The app provides users with a heat index reading and the recommended precautions for working outside in that temperature. This highly-rated app is free and available in both English and Spanish.
Share how you prepare for heat, and stay safe out there!