New OSHA campaign targets heat illness

Washington – OSHA on April 26 launched a national outreach initiative to educate workers and employers about the hazards of working outdoors in the heat.

The campaign focuses on the importance of providing workers with water, rest and shade, which are core components of the heat illness prevention standard adopted by California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health.

In addition to educational materials, OSHA will provide a curriculum for workplace training and a webpage with information and resources on heat illness prevention and emergency care. The agency also partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to include worker safety precautions in weather service alerts for heat.

Heat is a concern for workers in industries such as agriculture, landscaping, construction, road repair and airport baggage. Heat illness can progress to heat stroke, a condition that killed more than 30 workers last year, according to OSHA.