The Communications Workers of America (CWA), Public Citizen and more than 130 other unions, and public health and allied organizations have submitted a petition (PDF) to OSHA demanding a standard to protect workers whose jobs expose them to extreme heat.
National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) is partnering with OSHA to heighten awareness among its members of the heat hazards faced by outdoor workers.
An upcoming webinar, Heat Awareness-What you and your Team should know!, promises to take a “deep dive” into identifying the potential exposure factors to heat stress and methods for preventing or limiting their impact.
A longtime United States Postal Service employee was found dead inside her mail truck last week in Southern California, as temperatures reached as high as 117 degrees in the area.
The soldier who died after going missing during land navigation training at Camp Blanding, Florida, died from heat exposure, officials have ruled.
Spc. Calyn McLemore went missing June 20. He was found dead two days later in a wooded area of the installation.
Outdoor work is a year-round phenomenon, with construction and agriculture among industries that see many employees working outside during the colder months. Along with the changing of the seasons, there are other risk factors you should consider if part or the majority of your workforce operates outdoors, especially if working long shifts.
Exposure to extreme temperatures can result in occupational illnesses and injuries. Heat stress can result in heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or heat rashes. Heat can also increase the risk of injuries in workers due to sweaty palms, fogged-up safety glasses, and dizziness.
Outdoor workers are exposed to many hazards, depending on their type of work, location, time of year, and amount of time spent outside. Outdoor workers need to be trained about hazards, including hazard identification and recommendations for preventing and controlling exposures.
The statistics are shocking. On average, one child dies from heatstroke in a vehicle nearly every 10 days in the United States. Since 1998, there have been 760 pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths – including 18 already this year.
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, in 2015 there were 2,905,900 recordable cases of workplace injuries and 4,836 workplace fatalities. All companies should have an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) to help identify hazards in the workplace and protect all employees.
From respiratory illnesses to lower birthweight to deaths caused by the “urban heat island effect,” a special supplement recently published by the American Journal of Public Health explores the many ways in which climate change is impacting public health.