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Heat-related illness prevention: New resources from OSHA

Photo: OSHA

Washington — A wallet card, brochure and checklist are recent additions to OSHA’s resources for helping keep workers safe in high temperatures.

The wallet card lists the signs and symptoms of a heat emergency – abnormal behavior; difficulty speaking; seizures; fainting; heavy sweating; and hot, dry skin – and includes guidance for responding to a heat-emergency incident:

  • Call 911 right away.
  • Cool the person immediately with water or ice.
  • Remove extra clothing.
  • Give them cool water to drink.
  • Don’t leave the worker alone.

The pocket-sized brochure features information on risk factors for and symptoms of heat-related illnesses, topics to include in a heat-related illness prevention program and first aid procedures.

The checklist is intended to assist with identifying possible heat hazards and forming a heat-related illness prevention plan to address and respond to them.

“This checklist helps employers identify their job-related risk factors for heat exposure, assess their preparedness, determine where challenges exist, and develop effective ways to control their heat-related risk and make their workplaces safer,” OSHA says.


McCraren Compliance offers a full range of safety and health training and consulting services. Plus we can help you incorporate well-being into your traditional systems in order to support the Total Worker Health of your workforce.

Call 888-758-4757, email info@mccrarencompliance.com or visit our website www.mccrarencompliance.com

Original article published by Safety+Health an NSC publication

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