According to OSHA, these three words are the key to
outdoor workers’ avoiding illness and death from overexposure to heat during
the summer months. As temperatures across the country increase during the
summer months, OSHA’s outreach initiatives to protect workers from heat related
illnesses is ramping up.
“For outdoor workers, water, rest and shade are
three words that can make the difference between life and death,” according to
Labor Secretary Hilda Solis. “If employers take reasonable precautions, and
look out for their workers, we can beat the heat.” In the last decade, heat
stroke has killed an average of over 30 outdoor workers annually. Heat cramps
and heat rash can turn quickly into heat exhaustion and heat stroke if
symptoms go unrecognized and simple precautionary steps are not followed.
According to Dr. David Michaels, assistant
secretary of labor for occupational safety and health, “Agriculture workers,
building, road and other construction workers, utility workers, baggage
handlers, roofers, landscapers, and others who work outside are all at risk.
Drinking plenty of water and taking frequent breaks in cool, shaded areas are
incredibly important in the hot summer months.”
