Enhancing Occupational Heat Illness Prevention Efforts
This content discusses updates and efforts in preventing occupational heat illness, including OSHA's campaign, stakeholder outreach, emerging themes, and priorities. It covers key topics like acclimatization, signs of heat stress, COVID-19 considerations, practical solutions for employers, and industry-specific risks.
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Presentation Transcript
Occupational Heat Illness Prevention Efforts at OSHA MACOSH September 14, 2021
Presentation Overview 1. Updates to the Heat Illness Prevention Campaign 2. Additional OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Efforts
Heat Illness Prevention Campaign OSHA's Heat Illness Prevention campaign, launched in 2011, educates employers and workers on the dangers of working in the heat. Collaborated with the Office of Communications in Fall 2020 to brainstorm strategies moving forward. One top priority has been to engage partners and stakeholders to better inform campaign and guidance needs.
Partner and Stakeholder Outreach To date we have had 20+ conversations with: OSHA National Office Directorates OSHA Regional Offices State Plans DOL Working Groups (internal and external) DOL Farmworker Group NIOSH NORA Landscaping Working Group MACOSH Longshoring Work Group MACOSH Shipyards Work Group External Partners: National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) And we are planning additional outreach to: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) OSHA alliance and Safe+Sound partners across industries exposed to indoor and outdoor heat, including but not limited to: National Association of Landscape Professionals The Roadway Work Zone Safety and Health Partners National Waste and Recycling Association Tree Care Industries Association National Roofing Contractors Association Retail Bakers of America Warehousing Education and Research Council National Association of Manufacturers World Millwork Alliance National Asphalt Pavement Association
Emerging Themes and Priorities New Topics: Over 25 mentioned in calls Acclimatization of new and returning workers Clearer information on signs and symptoms of heat stress, providing first aid COVID-19 and face coverings Practical solutions for employers Temperature metrics Unique work arrangements (e.g., temporary workers) Risk factors and interaction of substances (e.g., medications, drugs, alcohol, energy drinks) Employer responsibilities and workers' rights Industries: Over 30 mentioned in calls Outdoor: Construction Agriculture Delivery and Postal Services Landscaping Wildland Firefighting Federal Employees Sanitation and Waste Removal Emergency Response and Preparedness Indoor: Foundries Bakeries Manufacturing Food Processing Maritime Maritime Fisheries Utilities Railroads Oil and Gas Logging Meat packing Restaurants Warehousing Teachers Mining Campaign Elements: Languages (17 mentioned) Update Existing Materials New Materials Engagement Tactics
Updated Products www.osha.gov/heat New/Updated Products: Updated OSHA's heat poster Updates to OSHA's heat wallet card Infographics for social media Radio and video PSA Across these products: Greater emphasis on acclimatization Provide information on first aid in the event of a heat emergency Clarifying signs and symptoms of heat illness Provide practical recommendations for preventing hazardous heat exposure Add a worker voice and perspective
Remaining Gaps and Challenges Full scope of industries facing hazardous heat conditions at work Tracking and monitoring hazardous heat conditions in indoor and outdoor work environments Strategies to prevent occupational heat illness in indoor and outdoor work environments Practical, feasible solutions in a variety of industry settings Making decisions on a variety of timescales (e.g., daily operations, seasonal planning)
Additional Heat Illness Prevention Efforts NACOSH Heat Illness Prevention Work Group Aim: To engage stakeholders across a variety of industries to better understand current best practices and challenges to occupational heat illness prevention Fall 2021 Request for Information Aim: To begin dialogue and engage with stakeholders to explore the potential for rulemaking on this topic October 2021
Seeking Input from MACOSH When it comes to protecting workers in the maritime industry from hazardous heat exposure in indoor or outdoor work settings, What are the current best practices? What challenges exist and how might those be addressed in this industry? Are there gaps in guidance or other materials that you'd like to see OSHA address and produce?
