Tag: osha news

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Top 10 Most Cited OSHA Standards

OSHA’s Top 10 Remains Much the Same.

Fall Protection – General Requirements is OSHA’s most frequently cited standard for the 14th consecutive year. The announcement was made during the 2024 NSC Safety Congress & Expo in Orlando.

OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs, Scott Ketcham, presented the initial list – which represents OSHA Information System data from Oct. 1, 2023, to Sept. 5. (The finalized data, will be released in December.) “OSHA takes falls very seriously,” Ketcham said during the presentation. “We’re trying to curb this hazard and make inroads to help people understand the standard and requirements. Too many lives are lost each year from workers who fall to their death.”

As is typical, the standards that comprise the Top 10 remained unchanged from FY 2023. However, there was movement within the ranking. Respiratory Protection climbed three spots to No. 4. It was seventh in FY 2023. “What’s more precious than our lungs?” Ketcham asked the audience. Additionally, Scaffolding, fell four spots to No. 8.

The Full List of Top 10 Most Cited OSHA Standards:

  1. Fall Protection– General Requirements: 6,307 violations
  2. Hazard Communication: 2,888 violations
  3. Ladders: 2,573 violations
  4. Respiratory Protection: 2,470 violations
  5. Lockout/Tagout: 2,443 violations
  6. Powered Industrial Trucks: 2,248 violations
  7. Fall Protection – Training Requirements: 2,050 violations
  8. Scaffolding: 1,873 violations
  9. Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection: 1,814 violations
  10. Machine Guarding: 1,541 violations

While OSHA generally does not post the official top ten list of violations until after the first week in April (in order to allow the prior fiscal year’s inspection data to finalize), it is unlikely that the top ten will see any changes to what was announced at the Expo. Here at National Safety Compliance we offer a variety of resources for each of these OSHA standards. Employers can utilize training options to improve their company’s efforts to keep workers safe and ensure that every employee makes it home safely.

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Updated Hazard Communication Standard Set to Take Effect

OSHA aims to better inform employees about chemical hazards in the workplace.

Updated Hazard Communication Standard Effective July 19, 2024

With a significant revision to the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) OSHA aims to better inform employees about chemical hazards in the workplace. The rule does this by improving the quality and accessibility of information on chemical labels and safety data sheets (SDS). Further, OSHA seeks to better align the HCS with the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification, primarily Revision 7 (GHS), and improve alignment with other federal agencies and international trading partners.

History of the Hazard Communication Standard

The Hazard Communication Standard in 1983 gave the workers the ‘right to know,’ and the 2012 Globally Harmonized System ensured workers had the ‘right to understand.’ The original standard allowed chemical manufacturers and importers to convey hazard information on labels and material safety data sheets in whatever format they chose. However, the modified 2012 standard provided a single set of harmonized criteria for classifying chemicals according to their health and physical hazards and specifies hazard communication elements for labeling and safety data sheets. The updated Hazard Communication Standard tackles concerns identified since the 2012 update by addressing past issues and promoting alignment. Additionally, it fosters better alignment with other federal agencies and Canada, promoting a more unified approach to workplace chemical safety across North America.

Highlights of the Changes

  • Enhanced Information on Labels and SDS
  • Clearer Hazard Classification
  • Improved Physical Hazard Classes
  • Streamlined Precautionary Statements

With these changes, even labels on small containers will be more comprehensive and readable, so that workers have crucial hazard information easily available. The update also addresses trade secret concerns, while also ensuring critical safety information remains accessible on SDS. OSHA revised the classification process to provide complete and accurate hazard information on labels and SDS so that workers understand the chemicals they handle and make informed decisions. Updates to physical hazard classifications will better inform workers on the safe handling of explosives, aerosols, and chemicals under pressure. In addition, updated precautionary statements will provide clearer instructions on handling, storing, and disposing of hazardous chemicals. The updated standards are effective July 19, 2024, however, OSHA has established a phased set of deadlines for compliance.

Timeframe for Implementing Compliance

Compliance DateRequirementWho
January 19, 2026Update labels and SDSs for substancesChemical manufacturers, importers, distributors, and employers
July 20, 2026Update workplace labels, hazard communication program, and training as necessary for substancesEmployers
July 19, 2027Update labels and SDSs for mixturesChemical manufacturers, importers, distributors, and employers
January 19, 2028Update workplace labels, hazard communication program, and training as necessary for mixturesEmployers

At National Safety Compliance we have a variety of Hazard Communication products to help businesses keep workers safe while handling hazardous materials including several video training courses, SDS binders, HAZCOM booklets, and several posters.

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Preventing Violence in the Workplace

California leads the nation in efforts to prevent workplace violence.

In a historic move, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 553 creating the first general industry workplace violence prevention safety requirements in the United States. This groundbreaking legislation mandates a comprehensive Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP) for nearly all employers in California. The required WVPP can be built into an existing injury and illness prevention plan (IIPP). Employers are required to create or adopt, implement and train employees on the WVPP.

Effective July 1, 2024, this law is likely to be a landmark legislative move, as it is the first law of its kind nationwide to be applicable across various industries. Further, there is speculation it will be used as a template for similar laws across the country in coming years. The law incorporates many aspects beginning with developing the plan in cooperation with employees and others, regular training on workplace violence hazards, procedures for each element of the prevention plan, maintaining a detailed violent incident log, and conducting regular reviews of the WVPP. The enforcement of these requirements fall under the jurisdiction of California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA).

What is “workplace violence”?

Labor Code Section 6401.9 defines workplace violence as “any act of violence or threat of violence that occurs in a place of employment,” but does not include lawful acts of self-defense or defense of others.

Workplace violence specifically includes, but is not limited to, the following:

  • The threat or use of physical force against an employee that results in, or has a high likelihood of resulting in, injury, psychological trauma, or stress, regardless of whether the employee sustains an injury.
  • An incident involving a threat or use of a firearm or other dangerous weapon, including the use of common objects as weapons, regardless of whether the employee sustains an injury.
  • Any of the following four types of workplace violence.

What are the Four Types of Workplace Violence?

  1. Type 1 violence: workplace violence committed by a person who has no legitimate business at the worksite and includes violent acts by anyone who enters the workplace or approaches employees with the intent to commit a crime.
  2. Type 2 violence: workplace violence directed at employees by customers, clients, patients, students, inmates, or visitors.
  3. Type 3 violence: workplace violence against an employee by a present or former employee, supervisor, or manager.
  4. Type 4 violence: workplace violence committed in the workplace by a person who does not work there but has or is known to have had a personal relationship with an employee.

What are the Essential Elements of a WVPP?

  • Responsible Personnel: Designate individuals responsible for the WVPP, recommending more than one person for this role. 
  • Employee Input and Enforcement: Develop procedures for obtaining input from employees on the plan and its enforcement. 
  • Training Procedures: Establish comprehensive training procedures covering all aspects of the WVPP. 
  • Incident Reporting: Create procedures for reporting both potential and actual workplace violence incidents. 
  • Incident Investigation: Implement procedures for investigating potential workplace violence incidents and issues. 
  • Plan Implementation: Set procedures for the plan’s implementation, including periodic inspections, annual reviews, and ensuring comprehensive training for all employees. 
  • Anti-Retaliation Clause: Incorporate an anti-retaliation clause to protect employees who report workplace violence. 
  • Role Coordination: Develop procedures for coordinating roles between supervisors and management. 
  • Interdepartmental Communication: Establish communication procedures between departments or shifts, as necessary for specific job positions. 
  • Training Development: Focus on developing effective training procedures. 
  • Risk Identification: Identify environmental and other risk factors, including considerations for contingent workers, temporary staff, and remote employees. 
  • Risk Evaluation and Control Development: Create procedures for evaluating specific work-related risks (e.g., customer interactions, security roles) and developing appropriate controls, including engineering, administrative, and personal protective equipment. 
  • Recordkeeping: Implement procedures for maintaining records, including workplace violence incident logs. 
  • Post-Incident Response and Investigation: Establish emergency response procedures and investigation protocols for incidents that occur. 

Employers are required to train employees on the WVPP when the program is first established, and then every year thereafter. The employee training required under the new law must cover particular subjects, allow for “interactive questions and answers,” and be in “vocabulary appropriate to the educational level, literacy, and language of the employees.” Further, as part of the training, employers also must provide employees with an opportunity for interactive questions and answers with a person knowledgeable about the WVPP. Additional training must take place when a new or previously unrecognized workplace violence hazard has been identified and when changes are made to the WVPP for clarity, this training may be limited to addressing the new hazard or change. 

Training requirements

  • The employer’s plan, how to obtain a copy, and how to participate in development and implementation of the WVPP.
  • The definition of workplace violence and requirements of Labor Code Section 6401.9.
  • How to report workplace violence incidents to the employer or law enforcement.
  • Workplace violence hazards specific to the employer’s industry, corrective measures the employer has implemented, and strategies on how to prevent or respond to violence.
  • The violence log required by the Labor Code and how to obtain a copy.
  • An opportunity for interactive questions with a person knowledgeable about the plan.

What are employer responsibilities? Employers are required to take reasonable care to prevent and correct harassment. This includes having a comprehensive Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP). Key steps to demonstrating reasonable care include: Having a broadly disseminated policy. Establishing an effective complaint process. Providing regular training to ensure employees and supervisors and managers. Understand their rights and responsibilities. Monitoring the workplace to ensure adherence to the employer’s policy.

To help California employers meet this new regulation, and other employers throughout the country, NSC has updated its Workplace Violence Training Program to include the following:

  • Impact of Workplace Violence
  • Types of Workplace Violence
  • OSHA and State Requirements for Workplace Violence (*NEW)
  • Developing a Written Workplace Violence Plan (*NEW)
  • Risk Factors for Workplace Violence
  • Warning Signs of Workplace Violence
  • Preventing/Reducing Workplace Violence
  • Response Actions
  • Training Employees on Workplace Violence (*NEW)

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National Photo Contest to Raise Heat Danger Awareness

OSHA is again sponsoring a photo contest to help raise awareness of the dangers of heat exposure. Excessive heat exposure, both indoors and outdoors, can be deadly. The goal is to highlight many effective strategies that protect workers from heat. OSHA hopes that seeing heat safety in action will encourage others to follow suit and protect workers.

Participation is open to any industry. Practically anyone can compete, including private citizens, associations, trade groups, individual businesses educational institutions, research organizations, non-profits, and unions. Each participant may submit up to five photos related to heat safety in the workplace.

Photo Ideas Include:

  • Photos of controls being used to protect workers.
  • Photos of shade structures that workers may be using for protection.
  • Photos that show workers using shade structures during the workday.
  • Photos of training and engagement around the topic of heat.
  • Photos of innovative ways workplaces are cooling workers (i.e., air-conditioned rooms, etc.). 
  • Photos of workers utilizing controls.
  • Photos of how employers are ensuring cold water access outdoors.

Participation Requirements:

  • Must promote heat safety in the workplace.
  • Must be original creations, not copied from OSHA.gov or any other source, and under the submitter’s ownership and control. Contestant is responsible for getting authorization from the people captured in the photo to use and submit their image in OSHA’s contest and for OSHA’s use. See Written Consent from Personal Identifiable Information under Terms and Conditions below.
  • Photographs must not depict a violation of an OSHA standard, uncontrolled hazard, or any unsafe procedure or practice.
  • Photographs must not endorse or be perceived to endorse a commercial product or service. This includes but is not limited to the display of brand names or trademarks on any people, equipment, or other objects visible in the photograph. Note: OSHA reserves the right to alter any submitted image by blurring identifying brand names, trademarks and other third-party intellectual property.
  • Must submit web form.
  • Entries must be in one of the following formats (weblink, JPG, PNG, Word, PPT).
  • Contestants must acknowledge contest rules and provide contact information.

Contest Categories (2023):

  • Strongest Message
  • Most Innovative
  • Most Creative
  • Highlighting Indoor Heat Hazards
  • Best Non-English Submission

Judging Criteria:

  • Quality of photograph.
  • Suitability for possible use in OSHA publications.
  • Clarity of the safety and health information or “message” conveyed.
  • Originality 
  • Creativity 
  • Inclusion of workers, employer, or workplace imagery.

The photo contest is open now and will close on July 19, 2024. Submissions will be reviewed and announced in the summer. Sign up here to participate.

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Help Prevent Falls In Construction

In construction, falls have been the leading cause of workplace fatalities for many years. According to BLS data, 395 workers lost their lives due to falls in 2022. Falls are preventable. The National Safety Stand-Down raises fall hazard awareness across the country in an effort to stop fall fatalities and injuries. This year the event will be held May 6-19, 2024.

A Safety Stand-Down is a voluntary event for employers to talk directly to employees about safety. Any workplace can hold a Stand-Down by taking a break to focus on fall hazards and reinforcing the importance of fall prevention. Anyone who wants to prevent hazards in the workplace can participate in the Stand-Down.

OSHA is partnering with key groups to assist with this effort:

  • National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
  • National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA)
  • OSHA-approved State Plans
  • State consultation programs
  • Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR)
  • American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)
  • National Safety Council, the National Construction Safety Executives (NCSE)
  • U.S. Air Force
  • OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers

Companies have many options for conducting a Safety Stand-Down, for example, taking a break to have a toolbox talk. Other safety activities include conducting safety equipment inspections, developing rescue plans, or discussing job-specific hazards. Managers are encouraged to plan a Stand-Down that works best for their workplace. OSHA’s website hosts an Events page to help employers and employees find events in your area. Additionally, OSHA offers suggestions to prepare for a successful “Stand-Down” and highlights from past “Stand-Downs.”

At NSC we offer a Fall Protection Training Course that has everything you need to equip employees to be safe at work and prevent falls. Our Fall Protection Bundle is an all-in-one resource for fall prevention and awareness in the workplace. It includes our Fall Protection Training and Booklets, which can inform your employees on the existence and use of industry-regulated fall prevention systems. We will also include our Fall Protection Standards & Regulations Manual, an easy-to-read resource on federal fall prevention regulations.

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Working to Make Work Zones Safer for Everyone

Work Zone

National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) is an annual spring campaign held at the start of construction season to encourage safe driving through highway work zones. The key message is for drivers to use extra caution in work zones. An event that started with a local campaign in Bristol, Virginia to raise awareness for work zone safety has grown into an annual national event for 24 years. This year it is hosted by the Maryland Department of Transportation, April 15-19.

In 1999 VDOT (Virginia Department of Transportation), the Federal Highway Administration, and the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials began working in collaboration to launch the first NWZAW in 2000. Together they outlined goals for the campaign.

National Work Zone Awareness Week Goals:

  • Initiate efforts to raise awareness of the need for more caution when driving through work zones to decrease fatalities and injuries;
  • Establish and promote a uniform set of safety tips;
  • The value of training and importance of best practices in regard to work zone safety would be promoted among individuals in the private sector, industry, and roadway workers;
  • Reach out to both roadway workers and contractors to communicate possible effects of motorists’ behavior in response to traffic delays, and advise on what steps might possibly be taken to lessen negative behavior; and
  • Outreach efforts would be made to work with entities involved with work zone safety and to form partnerships.

The initial national kickoff event was held in Springfield, Virginia. Every other year, the kickoff event is hosted in the Washington, D.C. area and in the alternate years it travels to cities around the country. In 2004, NWZAW’s fifth year, the executive committee decided to incorporate a theme with the event to better promote work zone safety. The first theme was, “The Worker’s Office Is the Roadway.” This year the theme is, “Work Zones are temporary. Actions behind the wheel can last forever.”

In 2016 National Go Orange Day was introduced as a new element of NWZAW. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to wear orange to show support for work zone safety. Posting to social media using #Orange4Safety and # NWZAW is another way to to spread the message.

Thankfully, National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) has been successful in spreading awareness for work zone safety across the country. It is easy to get involved and help bring awareness to this responsibility we all share. It is everyone’s duty to be alert, obey the signs, and keep workers and other drivers safe in work zones.

Nationwide events include:

  • Work Zone Safety Training Day – April 15
  • National kickoff event – April 16
  • Go Orange Day – April 17
  • Social media storm – April 18
  • Moment of Silence – April 19. The moment of silence was started in 2022 to remember the men and women whose lives were lost in a work zone incident.

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OSHA is Switching From Traditional Hard Hats to Safety Helmets

OSHA announces switch from traditional hard hats to safety helmets. The goal is to better protect agency employees from head injuries.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced that the agency is replacing traditional hard hats used by its employees with more modern safety helmets to protect them better when they are on inspection sites.

In 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports head injuries accounted for nearly 6 percent of non-fatal occupational injuries involving days away from work. Almost half of those injuries occurred when workers were struck by an object or equipment and about 20 percent were caused by slips, trips and falls.

Traditional Hard Hats Need an Upgrade

Dating back to the 1960s, traditional hard hats protect the top of a worker’s head but have minimal side impact protection and do not have chin straps. Without the straps, traditional hard hats can easily fall off a worker’s head if they slip or trip, leaving them unprotected. In addition, traditional hard hats lack vents and trap heat inside.

Along with this announcement, OSHA published a Safety and Health Information Bulletin detailing key differences between traditional hard hats and more modern safety helmets. The bulletin highlights advancements in design, materials, and other features that help protect workers’ entire heads better. Additionally, today’s safety helmets may also offer face shields or goggles to protect against projectiles, dust, and chemical splashes. In fact, some more advanced helmets even offer built-in hearing protection and/or communication systems to enable clear communication in noisy environments.

The agency recommends safety helmets be used by people working in the construction industry and the oil and gas industry; in high-temperature, specialized work and low-risk environments; performing tasks involving electrical work and working from heights; and when required by regulations or industry standards.

Recommended Uses for Safety Helmets Instead of Hard Hats

  • Construction Sites: Especially those with high risks of falling objects and debris, impacts from equipment, or slips, trips, and falls.
  • Oil and Gas Industry: In these sectors where workers face multiple hazards, including potential exposure to chemicals and severe impacts.
  • Working from Heights: For tasks or jobs that involve working from heights.
  • Electrical Work: For tasks involving electrical work or proximity to electrical hazards.
  • High-Temperature Environments: In high temperatures or where there is exposure to molten materials.
  • Specialized Work Environments: Jobs that require integrated face shields, hearing protection or communication devices benefit from safety helmets designed with these features or the ability to add them on.
  • Specific Regulatory Requirements: Where safety helmets are mandated by regulations or industry standards, employers must comply with these requirements to ensure worker safety compliance.
  • Low-Risk Environments: Even in settings with no overhead hazards, safety helmets provide comprehensive protection.

In OSHA’s Safety and Health Information Bulletin they present the key differences between safety helmets and traditional hard hats. Including the advancements in design, materials, and protective features that help to protect the worker’s entire head. As well as providing instructions for properly inspecting and storing both safety helmets and traditional hard hats.

Properly storing head protection is crucial to maintain its structural integrity and to prevent damage. It is important to inspect head protection before each use. This will identify signs of wear, damage, or expiration. Always refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines for care, use, and storage.

Recommendations on How to Properly Care for Head Protection:

  • Clean and dry head protection before storing.
  • Inspect shell and suspension system for cracks, dents, or other signs of damage. Examine the headband and chin strap for wear and tear ensuring it is free from any signs of damage.
  • Check for labels and certification marks. Make sure that the labels are legible and not tampered with.
  • Verify date of manufacture and refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines for the recommended lifespan of your specific head protection model.
  • Examine accessories and attachments. If your head protection has additional accessories or attachments inspect them for damage or signs of wear. Make sure they are securely fastened to the head protection and functioning correctly.
  • Check for proper fit. Adjust the suspension system to achieve a snug fit without excessive pressure points. Head protection should not be too loose or too tight.
  • Evaluate for damaged or loose parts by gently shaking your head (with the head gear on) to check for any loose or rattling components.
  • Inspect interior cushioning for wear or compression. If it shows signs of deterioration, contact the manufacturer for replacement options.
  • Assess previous impact damage. If your head protection has experienced an impact or has been subjected to a significant force, retire it immediately. Head protection is designed for single-use impact protection and may not retain its full effectiveness after an incident.
  • Keep records: Maintain a record of each inspection, noting the date, any findings, and actions taken. Regularly document the date of purchase and any relevant information about the head protection to track its lifespan accurately.

At National Safety Compliance we offer everything you need for safety training compliance. A thorough understanding of both types of head protection options allows employers and workers to make informed decisions on which type to use. OSHA wants employers to make safety and health a core value in their workplaces and is committed to doing the same by leading by example and embracing the evolution of head protection.

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OSHA’s 2023 Top 10 Released

During the 2023 NSC Safety Congress & Expo in New Orleans, Eric Harbin, OSHA’s Region 6 administrator, announced for the 13th consecutive fiscal year, Fall Protection – General Requirements is OSHA’s most frequently cited standard. Fall Protection was followed by Hazard Communication and Ladders.

As a whole, the Top 10 cited standards remain unaltered from 2022. While the number one spot remains firmly in place, the other spots saw some shifting this year. Notably, Powered Industrial Trucks moved into the top five and Respiratory Protection, which had previously been fourth, fell to seventh.

Top 10 Most Cited Standards for 2023

  1. Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501): 7,271 violations
  2. Hazard Communication (1910.1200): 3,213
  3. Ladders (1926.1053): 2,978
  4. Scaffolding (1926.451): 2,859
  5. Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178): 2,561
  6. Lockout/Tagout (1910.147): 2,554
  7. Respiratory Protection (1910.134): 2,481
  8. Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1926.503): 2,112
  9. Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection (1926.102): 2,074
  10. Machine Guarding (1910.212): 1,644

While progress is constantly being made to keep workers safe there continues to be the same type of citations year after year. Understanding these violations and the associated risks is essential for preventing accidents and creating safer workplaces. Lorraine M. Martin, NSC President and CEO, challenged industry leaders at the 2023 NSC Safety Congress & Expo, “As a safety community, we must come together to acknowledge these persistent trends and identify solutions to better protect workers.” Paying attention to this list of violations can highlight areas that workplaces can improve safety and prevent future accidents. These are key areas in need of improvement.

Interestingly, the overall quantity of violations for the top 10 increased in 2023. Since OSHA’s out there and busier than ever employers and employees need to focus on making safety a top priority. All companies should seek to prevent worker injuries and as a bonus avoid OSHA fines. Whatever the safety training need, at National Safety Compliance we offer training for all of your staff from industrial worksites to office personnel with our easy and comprehensive training programs.

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Beat the Heat with “Water.Rest.Shade.”

Every day, millions of U.S. workers are exposed to heat in their workplaces. Although illness from exposure to heat is preventable, every year, thousands become sick from occupational heat exposure. Sadly, some cases are fatal. Hazardous heat exposure can occur indoors or outdoors. As a result, OSHA is sponsoring a “Beat the Heat Contest” to raise awareness of the dangers and hazards of heat exposure in both indoor and outdoor workplaces.

OSHA’s Beat the Heat Contest has four main goals:

  1. Educate stakeholders, especially workers and employers, about heat hazards in the workplace.
  2. Prevent heat illness by creating an awareness campaign that increases the public’s knowledge about this issue.
  3. Highlight the dangers of heat; and
  4. Motivate employers and workers to take action to prevent heat illness.

Tragically, every year, dozens of workers die and thousands more become ill while working in hot or humid conditions. To combat this, OSHA created a Heat Illness Prevention campaign in 2022 to educate employers and workers on the dangers of working in the heat. Whether you work outside, or inside in a hot and humid environment, you’re at risk of enduring a heat illness. “Our goal is to make it safe for workers in hot indoor and outdoor environments, so that they can return home safe and healthy at the end of each day,” said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. “Working together, we can ensure workers know their rights and employers meet their obligations in order to protect workers from the growing dangers of extreme heat.”

Some industries where workers have suffered heat-related illnesses:

  • Agriculture         
  • Bakeries, kitchens, and laundries
  • Construction – especially, road, roofing, and other outdoor work
  • Electrical utilities, boiler rooms  
  • Fire Service
  • Landscaping       
  • Iron and steel mills and foundries
  • Mail and package delivery           
  • Manufacturing
  • Oil and gas well operations          
  • Warehousing

What are heat illnesses? A heat illness is one caused by high temperatures and humidity. In a warm environment, the human body relies on its ability to get rid of excess heat to maintain a healthy internal body temperature. Heat dissipation happens naturally through sweating and increased blood flow to the skin. If heat dissipation does not happen quickly enough, the internal body temperature keeps rising and the worker may experience symptoms that include thirst, irritability, a rash, cramping, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke.

The four most common heat illnesses include:

  • Heat rash, which is a stinging skin irritation that turns your skin red.
  • Heat cramps, which are painful spasms in your muscles.
  • Heat exhaustion, which is caused by too few fluids and long hours in high temperatures, causes heavy sweating, a fast and weak pulse and rapid breathing.
  • Heat stroke happens when your temperatures rise above 106 degrees very quickly -within minutes. This is a life-threatening illness.

Heat illness is serious, but we can work together to prevent it.

Employer’s Responsibility

Employers can keep workers safe in the heat. Employers should create plans to protect workers from developing heat-related illnesses. Keeping workers cool and well-hydrated are the best ways to protect them when working in hot environments. If you or your employees are working in a hot work environment, it is vital to understand how to address heat-related illnesses to keep everyone safe.

Heat-related illnesses can be prevented. The first step in prevention is for employers and workers to recognize heat hazards. Management should commit to:

  • Protect new workers.
  • Train all employees to recognize heat hazards.
  • Determine whether total heat stress is too high.
  • Implement engineering and administrative controls to reduce heat stress.
  • Provide sufficient rest, shade, and fluids.

Unfortunately, most outdoor fatalities occur in the first few days of working in warm or hot environments because the body needs to build a tolerance (acclimatization) to the heat gradually over time. Lack of acclimatization is a major risk factor for fatal outcomes. Our bodies sweat to cool ourselves. Sometimes, sweating isn’t effective enough.

In fact, OSHA encourages water, rest, & shade as prevention as well as treatment for heat-related illness. In addition, engineering controls such as air conditioning, can make the workplace safer. Other options include making changes to workload and schedules. For example, scheduling work for the morning or shorter shifts with frequent rest breaks in the shade. Encourage workers in warm, humid environments to drink hydrating fluids. At a minimum, all supervisors and workers should receive training about heat-related symptoms and first aid. The best scenario in workplaces at high risk of heat illnesses would be a formal Heat Illness Prevention Program.

Heat Illness Prevention Program key elements include:

  • A Person Designated to Oversee the Heat Illness Prevention Program
  • Hazard Identification
  • Water. Rest. Shade. Message
  • Acclimatization
  • Modified Work Schedules
  • Training
  • Monitoring for Signs and Symptoms
  • Emergency Planning and Response

Worker Information

It is important to understand workers’ rights and vital information about heat illness. Clearly, some workers are more susceptible to heat-related illness. Personal risk factors include medical conditions, lack of physical fitness, previous episodes of heat-related illness, alcohol consumption, drugs, and use of certain medication. Management should commit to preventing heat-related illness for all employees. In accordance with their heat tolerance levels. Measurement of heart rate, body weight, or body temperature can provide individualized data to aid decisions about heat controls.

Training workers before work in extreme heat begins is just the first step in keeping workers safe. Additionally, tailoring the training to worksite conditions is key. Employers should provide a heat stress training program for all workers and supervisors that include the following:

  • Causes of heat-related illnesses and steps to reduce the risk.
  • The importance of acclimatization.
  • Recognition of the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and administra­tion of first aid.
  • The importance of immediately reporting any symptoms or signs of heat-related illness.
  • Proper care and use of heat-protective clothing and equipment.
  • The added heat load caused by exertion, clothing, and per­sonal protective equipment.
  • Effects of other factors (drugs, alcohol, obesity, etc.) on tolerance to occupational heat stress.
  • Procedures for responding to symptoms of possible heat-related illness.
  • Procedures for contacting emergency medical ser­vices.

While heat related illnesses are dangerous, they are also preventable with the right knowledge and plan in place. Employees can be prepared and protected while working in less than perfect environments. At NSC, we are here to help. Our Heat Stress Training Program encourages employees to have a positive attitude about heat fatigue safety, learn the symptoms of heat exhaustion and how to recognize if their body is overheating to prevent heat fatigue.

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Renewed Focus on Enforcement

In recent years, the Department of Labor, DOL for short, has renewed its commitment to enforce labor laws, promoting the safety and health of American workers. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA for short, was created in 1970 to ensure safe and healthy conditions for all workers. It is OSHA’s responsibility to set and enforce safety standards that employers must comply with in order to provide employees with the safest workplace possible. Just last month, OSHA issued two memorandums indicating that they are stepping up their focus on the enforcement of labor laws. In Fact, both memorandums were issued by OSHA’s Directorate for Enforcement Programs. 

According to the DOL, OSHA “has issued new enforcement guidance to make its penalties more effective in stopping employers from repeatedly exposing workers to life-threatening hazards or failing to comply with certain workplace safety and health requirements.”

The first memorandum, Application of Instance-by-Instance Penalty Adjustment, gives OSHA Regional Administrators and Area Office Directors the authority to cite certain types of violations as “instance-by-instance citations.” This includes cases where the agency identifies “high-gravity” serious violations of OSHA standards specific to certain conditions. Specifically when the language of the rule supports a citation for each instance of non-compliance. The purpose of this change is to encourage OSHA personnel to apply the full authority of the Occupational Safety and Health Act where increased citations will in fact discourage non-compliance. 

Conditions Where Instance-by-Instance Citations May Apply:

The second memorandum, Exercising Discretion When Not to Group Violations, states that it is “intended to reiterate existing policy that allows Regional Administrators and Area Directors discretion to not group violations in appropriate cases to achieve a deterrent effect.” Instead they should cite them separately, with the goal of effectively encouraging employers to comply with the the OSH Act.

This updated guidance covers enforcement activity in general industry, agriculture, maritime and construction industries, and becomes effective 60 days from Jan. 26, 2023. Since the current policy has been in place for more than 30 years and applies only to egregious willful citations, these aggressive changes make it clear that OSHA is focused on deterring employers from ignoring their responsibilities to keep workers safe.

Doug Parker, Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health explained the changes this way, “Smart, impactful enforcement means using all the tools available to us when an employer ‘doesn’t get it’ and will respond to only additional deterrence in the form of increased citations and penalties. This is intended to be a targeted strategy for those employers who repeatedly choose to put profits before their employees’ safety, health and wellbeing. Employers who callously view injured or sickened workers simply as a cost of doing business will face more serious consequences.”

OSHA has delivered remarkable progress in improving the safety of America’s work force. Workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities have fallen dramatically over the years. OSHA has tackled fatal safety hazards and health risks by establishing common sense standards and enforcing the law against those who put workers at risk. OSHA standards and enforcement actions have saved thousands of lives and prevented countless injuries and illnesses. Looking to the future, OSHA is renewing its commitment to protecting workers by promoting best practices that can save lives.