ARTICLE
Given the extreme temperatures of late, OSHA issued a heat hazard alert yesterday to remind employers of their obligation to protect workers against heat illness or injury in outdoor and indoor workplaces. It was also announced that OSHA will intensify its enforcement where workers are exposed to heat hazards, with increased inspections in high-risk industries like construction and agriculture. These actions will fully implement the agency’s National Emphasis Program on heat, announced in April 2022, to focus enforcement efforts in geographic areas and industries with the most vulnerable workers. Since 2011, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 436 people have died due to workplace heat exposure, with an annual average of 38 deaths between 2011 to 2019. In addition, an average of 2,700 cases involving heat illnesses lead to days lost at work, putting an additional economic burden on workers and employers. Statistics show that people who work in conditions without adequate climate-control face higher risks of hazardous heat exposure and that these situations disproportionately expose people of color to hazardous heat. OSHA uses hazard alerts to provide specific information on safety and health hazards to employers, workers and other stakeholders. An alert describes the hazard and offers recommendations on how hazardous exposures can be eliminated or reduced and what actions employers should take to protect employees. The alert issued today does the following: Highlights what employers can and should be doing now to protect employees. Ensures employees are aware of their rights, including protections against retaliation. Highlights steps OSHA is currently taking to protect workers. Directs employers, employees and the public to crucial OSHA resources, including guidance and fact sheets on heat. Click here for more information from OSHA.
Given the extreme temperatures of late, OSHA issued a heat hazard alert yesterday to remind employers of their obligation to protect workers against heat illness or injury in outdoor and indoor workplaces.
It was also announced that OSHA will intensify its enforcement where workers are exposed to heat hazards, with increased inspections in high-risk industries like construction and agriculture. These actions will fully implement the agency’s National Emphasis Program on heat, announced in April 2022, to focus enforcement efforts in geographic areas and industries with the most vulnerable workers. Since 2011, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 436 people have died due to workplace heat exposure, with an annual average of 38 deaths between 2011 to 2019. In addition, an average of 2,700 cases involving heat illnesses lead to days lost at work, putting an additional economic burden on workers and employers. Statistics show that people who work in conditions without adequate climate-control face higher risks of hazardous heat exposure and that these situations disproportionately expose people of color to hazardous heat. OSHA uses hazard alerts to provide specific information on safety and health hazards to employers, workers and other stakeholders. An alert describes the hazard and offers recommendations on how hazardous exposures can be eliminated or reduced and what actions employers should take to protect employees. The alert issued today does the following: Highlights what employers can and should be doing now to protect employees. Ensures employees are aware of their rights, including protections against retaliation. Highlights steps OSHA is currently taking to protect workers. Directs employers, employees and the public to crucial OSHA resources, including guidance and fact sheets on heat. Click here for more information from OSHA.