Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/1390352
ASSOCIATIONINSIGHT Portable Sanitation Association International News BIWEEKLY EDITION JULY 7, 2021 Page 19 OSHA's Heat Illness Prevention Campaign Provides Tools and Guidance* T he heat has been record-breaking in some parts of the northern hemisphere, and just plain "ordinary hot" in others. This is the time of year when employers need to make sure they have a heat safety plan for their workers, and that everyone on the team knows what to do. OSHA's Heat Illness Prevention campaign is designed to educate employers and workers on the dangers of working in the heat. These tools are available to help you create your program and educate your employees. Through training sessions, outreach events, informational sessions, publications, social media messaging and media appearances, millions of workers and employers have learned how to protect workers from heat. The safety message comes down to three key words: Water. Rest. Shade. Dangers of Working in the Heat. Every year, dozens of workers die and thousands more become ill while working in extreme heat or humid conditions. There are a range of heat illnesses, and they can affect anyone, regardless of age or physical condition. According to OSHA, every year, thousands become sick from occupational heat exposure, and some cases are fatal. Most outdoor fatalities—50% to 70%—occur in the first few days of working in warm or hot environments. This is because the body needs to build a tolerance to the heat gradually over time. The process of building tolerance is called heat acclimatization. Lack of acclimatization represents a major risk factor for fatal outcomes. Occupational risk factors for heat illness include heavy physical activity, warm or hot environmental conditions, lack of acclimatization, and wearing clothing that holds in body heat. Portable sanitation workers generally fall into a category at high risk due to their outdoor work with substantial physical activity. Personal risk factors can cause even greater susceptibility to heat-related illnesses. These include medical conditions, lack of physical fitness, previous episodes of heat-related illness, alcohol consumption, drugs, and use of certain medications. Management should commit to preventing heat-related illness for all employees regardless of their heat tolerance levels. Measurement of heart rate, body weight, or body temperature (physiologic monitoring) can provide individualized data to aid decisions about heat controls. Employer Responsibility to Protect Workers. Under OSHA law, employers are responsible for providing workplaces free of known safety hazards. This includes protecting workers from extreme heat. An employer with workers exposed to high temperatures should establish a complete heat illness prevention program. At a minimum, the plan should: • Provide workers with water, rest and shade. • Allow new or returning workers to gradually increase workloads and take more frequent breaks as they build a tolerance for working in the heat. • Plan for emergencies and train workers on prevention of heat-related conditions. • Monitor workers for signs of illness. *Much of the information in this article was provided to the PSAI by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration—OSHA. Continued on page 20