Editor’s Note: Heat safety in focus

Keeping workers safe in the heat has been one of the occupational safety and health community’s most talked-about topics over the past year. And with record-setting temps occurring in many parts of the country in 2023 and experts predicting more of the same for 2024, it’s certainly one of the most urgent.

One way you can keep up to date on the latest news on preventing heat-related illnesses – from regulation and legislation to research and resources – is to subscribe to “The Safety+Health Daily” e-newsletter. It’s published Monday through Thursday, and it’s free. (If you’re a member of the National Safety Council, you also can receive “Membership News Alert,” produced by the S+H team, on Fridays.) To sign up for the Daily, click on the e-Newsletters tab at the top of the page. 

Several of the news briefs that were published first in the Daily are in the “In the News” section of the July issue. For example, read about how OSHA is looking for entries for its “Beat the Heat” photo contest. (I mention it here because if you’ve got pics of your workers modeling heat-safety best practices and you’d like to see them featured in a magazine, send the photos our way, too – we’re always looking for some.) And for this month’s cover story, Associate Editor Alan Ferguson lays out seven things everyone should know about preventing heat-related illnesses and injuries. It’s a quick, easy read that’s full of good information, so please check it out.

Thank you for everything you do to help workers stay safe and well – in the summer and all year round.

The opinions expressed in “Editor’s Note” do not necessarily reflect those of the National Safety Council or affiliated local Chapters.