The approach of summer is a reminder to us all of the need to recognize, and act to prevent, the harmful effects of excessive heat. The White House has designated May 23–27, 2016, as Extreme Heat Week, during which Federal agencies will work with community planners and public health officials to enhance community preparedness for extreme heat events. Workers are particularly vulnerable to the health impacts of heat exposure.
The White House has designated this week as Extreme Heat Week. For federal agencies, it’s a time to double down on community preparedness for extreme heat events, with the help of community planners and public health officials.
On April 4, 2016, the U.S. Global Change Research Program released a new assessment of the growing public health threat of climate change. The report, “The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment,” identified the many ways in which climate change is already threatening the health of all Americans and the significant public health challenges it is expected to create.
Polar Products Inc. has developed a portable, collapsible cold water immersion system to facilitate the rapid cooling of workers experiencing heat-related illness.
In the 30 years since the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) made major recommendations to prevent work-related heat stress, recent events have raised questions about working safely in hot environments.
Electric Fan Engineering has released its patent pending THERMAL STAR® BODY COOLING SYSTEM that will provide stimulating cooling relief for people that are exposed to high environmental temperatures.
Hydralert is the world’s first highly engaging, real time, non-invasive hydration testing and warning device for individuals. Hydralert automates traditional manual hydration testing, assists in evaluating a groups’ risk of heat related illness and actively engages individuals in proper hydration habits via self-testing.
Safety as an industry is somewhat slow to adopt new technology. Years after the release of a popular smartphone app that streamlines jobsite inspection, it is almost a given that a site safety manager uses the app today. After my initial chuckles about the Apple Watch release, I started to think about wearable tech’s application for safety. Specifically, how could a wearable device, like the Apple Watch, impact worker safety?
