According to Climatecentral.org, the U.S. experienced 74 days of higher-than-average temperatures in the summer of 2023, and this summer is shaping up to potentially be even warmer. In the northeast, this June ranked among the ten hottest Junes for 11 of the 12 states in the region.
Outdoor workers, especially those performing strenuous activities, face these threats disproportionately, and construction workers are particularly vulnerable. They represent only 6 percent of the total U.S. workforce, but account for more than 33 percent of all reported occupational deaths associated with heat exposure, according to the American Journal of Industrial Medicine.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) implemented a National Emphasis Program (NEP) on Outdoor and Indoor Related Hazards in April 2022 to target high-risk industries and focus agency resources and staff time on heat inspections.
Under the NEP, OSHA compliance officers are expected to evaluate the heat-related hazards in the workplace, and employers also are encouraged to implement a heat illness prevention program including the following:
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Develop and implement a written plan that outlines the procedures for preventing heat-related illnesses and injuries, including provisions for monitoring weather conditions, identifying high-risk tasks and employees, and providing appropriate training and PPE.
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Provide employee and supervisor training on the signs and symptoms of heat stress, how to prevent it, and what to do if a worker shows symptoms. Training should also include information on the importance of hydration and the use of PPE.
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Provide access to water, rest, and shade for workers who are at risk of heat stress. Workers should be encouraged to take breaks in shaded areas, and employers should provide cool water for drinking and cooling.
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Implement a program to gradually acclimate new and returning workers to hot weather conditions, including starting with shorter work shifts or reducing the physical demands of the job until workers are fully acclimatized.
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Monitor workers for signs and symptoms of heat stress and provide medical treatment as necessary. Workers should also be encouraged to report any symptoms to their supervisor or a designated safety coordinator.
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For new workers especially, employers are encouraged to implement a buddy system so workers are not alone in extreme heat conditions.
Anticipating even hotter summers in the future, on July 2, 2024, the Department of Labor and the White House announced that they wanted to make the voluntary programs above mandatory. They have opened a public comment period and will hold a hearing about heat-related work rules as part of the Federal rule-making process.
OSHA will conduct programmed (pre-planned) inspections in targeted high-risk industries on any day that the National Weather Service has announced a heat warning or advisory for the local area, so it is critical that companies maintain copies of their heat illness and injury plans, as well as complete and accurate OSHA 300 logs and 301 Incident Reports. OSHA has conducted more than 5,000 heat-related inspections in the last two years.
Finally, we encourage all of our clients to visit OSHA’s Heat Stress and Training Guides & Checklist store for resources you can use at your facilities and work sites. And download the OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool, a mobile app that allows workers and supervisors to calculate the heat index for their worksite, and, based on the heat index, displays a risk level to outdoor workers. The app also provides risk-level appropriate reminders about the protective measures that should be taken.
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