OSHA’s National Emphasis Program for Outdoor and Indoor Heat-Related Hazards was recently launched with the goal of protecting millions of workers from heat-related illness. Here’s what it means for you.

Experts in the athletic field have long studied the impact heat stress can have on athletes of all ages and levels. What can safety managers learn by applying these findings to industrial settings?

It’s time to face facts—everything on this green earth is getting hotter. 2020 tied the planet’s warmest year ever, joining 18 other record highs set since the turn of the millennium. For workers regularly bearing the brunt of these temps, these trends are not to be taken lightly. But, by developing worksite-specific heat illness prevention plans, safety managers can save lives as soon as today.

In 2014, OSHA kicked off an annual campaign to train and educate workers about heat stress management called Water. Rest. Shade. Focused on shade, this Toolbox Talk can help you educate your crew on the importance of periodically seeking shelter from the sun during the workday.

In 2014, OSHA kicked off an annual campaign to train and educate workers about heat stress management called Water. Rest. Shade. Use this Toolbox Talk to brief workers on the signs/symptoms of dehydration, as well as effective hydration strategies.

If it seems like summers have been getting hotter and more extreme, you’re right. On average, summers over the past decade have been hotter on average and bring more heat waves with temperatures that fall into the “extremely hot” category. This presents a challenge for you as you look to keep your workers safe in extreme weather.