PCCA Journal 2nd Quarter 2014 - page 44

PCCA Journal|2
nd
Quarter 2014
44
Safety News
Water. Rest. Shade.
OSHA Launches Summer Safety Campaign
O
SHA recently announced
the launch of its annual
Campaign to Prevent
Heat Illness in Outdoor
Workers. For the fourth
consecutive year, OSHA’s campaign aims
to raise awareness and educate work-
ers and employers about the dangers
of working in hot weather and provide
resources and guidance to address these
hazards. Following is OSHA-provided
information on the campaign.
“Heat-related illnesses can be fatal,
and employers are responsible for keep-
ing workers safe,” said U.S. Secretary
of Labor Thomas E. Perez. “Employers
can take a few easy steps to save lives,
including scheduling frequent water
breaks, providing shade, and allowing
ample time to rest.”
Thousands of employees become sick
each year and many die from working in
the heat. In 2012, there were 31 heat-
related worker deaths and 4,120 heat-
related worker illnesses. Labor-intensive
activities in hot weather can raise body
temperatures beyond the level that nor-
mally can be cooled by sweating. Heat
illness initially may manifest as heat rash
or heat cramps but can quickly escalate
to heat exhaustion and then heat stroke
if simple preventative measures are not
followed. Heat illness disproportionately
affects those who have not built up a
tolerance to heat (acclimatization), and
it is especially dangerous for new and
temporary workers.
“Acclimatization is a physical change
that the body undergoes to build toler-
ance to heat, and it is a critical part of
preventing heat illnesses and fatalities,”
said OSHA boss Dr. David Michaels.
“Over the past three years, lack of accli-
matization was the cause in 74 percent
of heat-related citations issued. Employ-
ers have a responsibility to provide
workplaces that are safe from recognized
hazards, including outdoor heat.”
Last year, OSHA issued 11 heat-related
citations. In some of these cases, the
employer and staffing agency were cited
because they involved temporary workers.
In preparation for the summer season,
OSHA has developed heat illness educa-
tional materials in English and Spanish
and a curriculum to be used for work-
place training, also available in both
English and Spanish. Additionally, a web
page provides information and resources
on heat illness, including how to prevent
it and what to do in case of an emergen-
cy, for workers and employers. The page
is at
/
index.html.
OSHA also has released a free appli-
cation for mobile devices that enables
workers and supervisors to monitor the
heat index at their worksites. The app dis-
plays a risk level for workers based on the
heat index, as well as reminders about
protective measures that should be taken
at that risk level. Since its 2011 launch,
more than 130,000 users have download-
ed the app. Available for Android-based
platforms and the iPhone, the app can be
downloaded in English and Spanish at
-
dex/heat_app.html.
O
SHA has partnered with the National Insti-
tute for Occupational Safety and Health and
National Occupational Research Agenda
(NORA) - Construction Sector on a nation-
wide outreach campaign to raise awareness
among workers and employers about common fall hazards in
construction and how falls from ladders, scaffolds, and roofs
can be prevented and lives can be saved.
The following information was provided by OSHA.
Falls are the leading cause of death in construction. In
2010, there were 264 fall fatalities (255 falls to lower level)
out of 774 total fatalities in construction. These deaths are
preventable.
Falls can be prevented through three simple steps:
• Plan
• Provide
• Train
Further details about these steps and other fall protec-
tion resources are available at
. The
educational resources page gives workers and employers
OSHA’s Fall Prevention Campaign
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