With the summer in full swing, employees must prepare themselves for the heat. And we’re not just talking sun-hats and water bottles here. Incidents related to the heat account for one of the highest workplace injuries causes as reported by OSHA. OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Association) clearly outlines an employers responsibility to help protect their employees from heat-related injuries.

The Personal Protective Equipment Rule

The Personal Protective Equipment Rule under OSHA states that employers must provide both protective equipment and training to workers in certain situations, including environmentally hazardous conditions such as sunlight and heat. Some states are more at risk from this type of exposure than others, such as Arizona, which has the nation’s highest heat related death rate. Employers with outdoor workers in states with hot weather conditions must ensure that appropriate measures are in place to prevent heat related illnesses and/or deaths.

New Enforcement Initiative

OSHA has recently unveiled its new enforcement initiative, the “Severe Violators Enforcement Program” which increases penalties, and enhances the corrective measures that must be taken when an employer’s violation is intentional or repetitive. OSHA has issued a directive that state OSHA departments must adopt the Program or an equivalent program within six months of the effective date which is scheduled to be within 45 days of April 22, 2010. Given the increased enforcement initiative, employers should review and revise their safety policies, and procedures to ensure they are in full compliance.

Create a Heat-Safety Program for Your Company

If your business employs workers who work outdoors, or in hot indoor conditions, please contact CPEhr to schedule a complimentary on-site inspection of your workplace. Our experienced Risk Management team will assess your heat risk and create a customized safety program to both protect your employees, as well as keep your business OSHA compliant.