The Midwest forecast for the first week of summer is hot, hot, hot. Weather affects all of us, but workers who job is to be outdoors such as construction workers, first responders, maintenance and festival workers are particularly at risk when the heat index soars. Every year, thousands of workers across the country suffer from serious heat-related illnesses. If not quickly addressed, heat exhaustion can become heat stroke, which has killed ? on average ? more than 30 workers annually since 2003.
OSHA will launch its Summer Safety Campaign for workers- "Water. Rest. Shade," on the first day of summer, June 20.
- OSHA has released a free application for mobile devices that enables workers and supervisors to monitor the heat index at their work sites. The app displays 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. Available for Android-based platforms and the iPhone, the app can be downloaded in both English and Spanish by visiting http://s.dol.gov/RI.
- In preparation for the summer season, OSHA has developed heat illness educational materials in English and Spanish, as well as a curriculum to be used for workplace training.
- Additionally, a Web page provides information and resources on heat illness ? including how to prevent it and what to do in case of an emergency ? for workers and employers. The page is available at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/
heatillness/index.html. This page includes artwork, videos and other resource material such as PSAs.
We hope you will keep this message at the forefront of you summer heat coverage throughout the season.
Additionally, The Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis and National Weather Service Acting Deputy Director Steven Cooper will host the teleconference at 2 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, June 20, exclusively for television and radio meteorologists and weather reporters to provide helpful information to outdoor workers when temperatures soar to summer's dangerous levels. Please consider having your meteorologist or weather reporters participate in this informational event or to use the material above to develop stories on summer safety for workers.
We hope you will keep this message at the forefront of you summer heat coverage throughout the season to help protect the health and lives of workers.
