OSHA’s Campaign to Prevent Heat Illness in Outdoor Workers

2 Heat Illness: Matter of Life or Death May cause heat cramps, heat rash, or more severe heat illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat stroke can be deadly. Early and quick action can save lives.

3 Employers Can Prevent Heat Illness Be aware that both Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke can be prevented Recognize the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke Know when to take action Include frequent water breaks, ample time to rest and shade for workers Heat Exhaustion Heat Stroke

4 Prevention Campaign = 3 Words

5 Heat Illness Prevention Advice Employers need to be aware of the following risk factors for workers: High temperature and humidity Direct sun exposure (no shade) Limited air movement (no breeze) Strenuous work tasks

6 Heat Illness Prevention Advice (cont.) Along with water, rest and shade, employers should make sure workers are acclimatized to heat environments Especially those new to working in hot environments This includes workers with a lack of recent exposure to hot working conditions (away for more than a week)

7 Heat Illness Website Resources Here is where you have access to all of OSHA’s Heat Campaign materials

8 Educational Resources Page Publications: Fact Sheets, Posters [English/Spanish]

9 Community Posters Community posters are available in both English and Spanish Posters communicate the message: Water. Rest. Shade. The work can’t get done without them. OSHA adds “Let’s make heat safety part of the job”.

10 Training Page OSHA’s Lesson Plan for Employers Cal/OSHA: –Heat Safety Training Kit for Employers –DVD: Water, Rest, Shade: The Work Can’t Get Done Without Them Access to other valuable training materials from various sources

11 OSHA’s Lesson Plan for Employers “Heat Illness Prevention Training Guide: A Lesson Plan for Employers” is a short, participatory, easy to follow plan for employers to prevent heat illness and provide training to their workers.

12 Employer Provided Training Workers need to be trained to know what to do when a worker has signs of heat exhaustion: Call supervisor Stay with worker until help arrives Move worker to cooler/shaded area; Fan and mist the worker with water Provide cool drinking water If the worker feels confused, vomits, or faints, this may indicate heat stroke Call 911 immediately!

13 Media Resources Page Press Release Labor Secretary’s Public Service Announcement Both are available in English and en Español

14 Partnering Resources OSHA is also partnering with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on weather service alerts.

15 Compliance Assistance OSHA offers consultation services to employers: Contact OSHA OSHA (6742). It’s free. For other compliance assistance information and services… Occupational Safety and Health Administration U. S. Department of Labor

16 Heat Illness Prevention Challenge! When it is hot and humid outside, employers should: Encourage workers to drink water and rest in the shade Provide contact information for workers in an emergency