Although the oppressive heat wave that affected much of the country is behind us for now, as the summer rolls on we can expect that additional hot weather will continue to pose challenges for those who work outdoors or in locations where heat can build up to extreme levels. Prevention of heat-related illnesses can be even more of a priority with temperatures in excess of 100 degrees that cause the heat index to soar to potentially dangerous levels. To help employers anticipate issues that can arise when the temperatures rise, OSHA is in the midst of a public relations campaign to raise awareness of the need to protect workers from the heat.
OSHA also is referring employers to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's heat watch page for further assistance in preventing heat illness in outdoor workers. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also is providing heat-related resources for businesses and communities to prepare for and respond to heat waves with its Excessive Heat Events Guidebook, accessible at its website. The agency's campaign notes that the general duty clause of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) requires employers to provide a workplace that is free from “recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm” to employees. For employers working outdoors in the heat, or indoors in other extreme temperature environments (i.e. a foundry), OSHA recommends having a Heat Stress Management Program. This program would include: a) a training program for employees and supervisors about the effects of heat stress, b) implementing new procedures for an acclimation program and additional water breaks, and c) a program for responding to heat-related emergencies. OSHA's campaign of "Water. Rest. Shade" is an important message, but it is also a cautionary tale as it reaffirms the “recognized hazard” of heat illnesses. Employers may be subject to citations and fines for failing to take appropriate measures during the extreme heat.OSHA - Employers have a duty to help prevent heat-related illnesses
RELATED ARTICLES
Supreme Court Blocks OSHA Vaccine-or-Test Mandate
January 13, 2022 | Currents - Employment Law, Employee Health Issues, Supreme Court Watch
Future of OSHA Vaccine-or-Test Mandate Looks Tenuous as Supreme Court Weighs In
January 7, 2022 | Currents - Employment Law, Employee Health Issues, Supreme Court Watch
OSHA’s COVID-19 Vaccine, Testing Mandates Back On – Effective Jan. 10, 2022
December 20, 2021 | Currents - Employment Law, Employee Health Issues
Courts Enjoin Federal COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates – An Update
December 9, 2021 | Currents - Employment Law, Employee Health Issues
Biden Administration’s COVID-19 Vaccine Initiative: Preparation. Not Panic.
September 17, 2021 | Currents - Employment Law, Employee Health Issues
Supreme Court Blocks OSHA Vaccine-or-Test Mandate
January 13, 2022 | Currents - Employment Law, Employee Health Issues, Supreme Court Watch
Future of OSHA Vaccine-or-Test Mandate Looks Tenuous as Supreme Court Weighs In
January 7, 2022 | Currents - Employment Law, Employee Health Issues, Supreme Court Watch
OSHA’s COVID-19 Vaccine, Testing Mandates Back On – Effective Jan. 10, 2022
December 20, 2021 | Currents - Employment Law, Employee Health Issues
Courts Enjoin Federal COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates – An Update
December 9, 2021 | Currents - Employment Law, Employee Health Issues
Biden Administration’s COVID-19 Vaccine Initiative: Preparation. Not Panic.
September 17, 2021 | Currents - Employment Law, Employee Health Issues
Biden pushes OSHA and employers along his ‘path out of the pandemic’
September 13, 2021 | Currents - Employment Law, Labor Relations
Masks Off to the Fully Vaccinated: COVID-19 Safety in the Health Care Workplace
July 1, 2021 | Currents - Employment Law, Employee Health Issues
MIOSHA Amends COVID-19 Emergency Rules
May 24, 2021 | Currents - Employment Law, Employee Health Issues
Court Won’t Step in For OSHA in Pandemic-Plagued Meat Packing Plant
April 8, 2021 | Currents - Employment Law, Employee Health Issues
Government Report Calls On OSHA To Step Up Its Response to COVID-19
March 8, 2021 | Currents - Employment Law, Employee Health Issues
OSHA Extends Electronic Recordkeeping Submission Deadline to Dec. 15
November 28, 2017 | Employment Discrimination, Employment Lessons, Currents - Employment Law
OSHA Delays July 1 Electronic Reporting Requirement
May 23, 2017 | Employment Lessons, Currents - Employment Law
Trump’s Actual Impact on OSHA
May 12, 2017 | Employment Lessons, Currents - Employment Law
OSHA Issues Enforcement Guidance on Controversial Non-Discrimination Provisions
January 9, 2017 | Employment Discrimination, Currents - Employment Law
OSHA Contemplates Workplace Violence Standard for Healthcare, Social Assistance Workers
December 8, 2016 | Employment Lessons, Currents - Employment Law
The World According to Trump: Trump’s Potential Impact on OSHA
November 29, 2016 | Employment Lessons, Currents - Employment Law
UPDATE: OSHA Announces Second Delay in Enforcement of Non-Discrimination Provisions
October 24, 2016 | Employment Lessons, Currents - Employment Law
OSHA Announces Delay in Non-Discrimination Provisions, Higher Fines Still Coming in August
July 21, 2016 | Employment Discrimination, Currents - Employment Law
OSHA’s New Mandatory Electronic Recordkeeping Rule
June 23, 2016 | Employment Discrimination, Currents - Employment Law
DOJ Announces that Criminal OSHA Prosecutions May Also Include Felony Environmental Crimes
December 22, 2015 | High Stakes Employment Issues, Currents - Employment Law
OSHA FINES COULD INCREASE OVER 80% NEXT YEAR
November 10, 2015 | High Stakes Employment Issues, Currents - Employment Law
Nearly 40 Percent of Mandatory Reports to OSHA Lead to Inspection
October 5, 2015 | Employee Health Issues, Currents - Employment Law
Transgender Status in the Workplace – First an EEOC Issue and Now an OSHA Issue?
May 28, 2015 | EEOC, Employment Discrimination, Currents - Employment Law
Supervisors Are Employees Too … to the Tune of $6.6 Million
April 29, 2015 | Employment Discrimination, High Stakes Employment Issues, Currents - Employment Law
Ebola – How Should Employers Respond?
November 4, 2014 | Employee Health Issues, Currents - Employment Law
OSHA ISSUES NEW MANDATORY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR SERIOUS INJURIES; DATA TO BE MADE PUBLIC
September 18, 2014 | Employee Health Issues, Currents - Employment Law
OSHA-Proposed Mandatory Reporting Rule Could Include Enterprise-Wide Reporting
January 13, 2014 | Employee Health Issues, Currents - Employment Law
OSHA’s New Online Complaint Form May Increase Whistleblower Investigations
December 16, 2013 | Social Media and Technology, Currents - Employment Law
OSHA Develops Plan to Publish Injury and Illness Data Online
November 12, 2013 | Employee Health Issues, Social Media and Technology, Currents - Employment Law
OSHA’S Revised Hazard Communications Standard Imposes New Training Requirements by Dec. 1, 2013
June 18, 2013 | Traditional Labor, Currents - Employment Law
OSHA Interpretation Letter Allows Non-Union Employees to Designate Union Personnel as “Representative” During OSHA Inspection
April 30, 2013 | Traditional Labor, Currents - Employment Law
OSHA – Regulatory and Enforcement Update
February 11, 2013 | Employment Discrimination, Currents - Employment Law
RELATED PRACTICE AREAS
Subscribe
Do you want to receive more valuable insights directly in your inbox? Visit our subscription center and let us know what you're interested in learning more about.
View Subscription Center