DOL Proposes Rule to Protect Indoor and Outdoor Workers from Extreme Heat

Last month, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a proposed new rule with the goal of protecting workers from health risks due to exposure to extreme heat. If finalized, DOL claims the rule would help to protect approximately 36 million workers in indoor and outdoor work settings and substantially reduce heat injuries, illnesses, and deaths in the workplace.

This is significant as DOL asserts that heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S. Just two years ago, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced it had launched a National Emphasis Program (NEP) to protect workers from heat illnesses and injuries. Through the program, OSHA conducted more than 5,000 federal heat-related inspections and was the first time the agency had launched a NEP to protect workers from heat.

“The proposed rule would require employers to develop an injury and illness prevention plan to control occupational heat hazards,” said Frank Selamie, President of CTSI. “Employers will need to evaluate heat risks, implement requirements for drinking water when heat risks increase risks to workers, provide rest breaks, and control indoor heat. It also requires a plan to protect new or returning workers unaccustomed to working in high heat conditions. Training will have to be provided by employers and procedures need to be in place to respond if a worker experiences signs and symptoms of a heat-related illness.”

Dedicated to helping employers create a safe work environment for their employees, and to comply with health and safety regulations, are the industrial hygiene professionals at CTSI. With offices in Florida and the New York metropolitan area, CTSI’s experts can help to create an injury and illness prevention plan to minimize worker exposures to thermal stressors and temperature extremes. They also offer comprehensive occupational testing and monitoring services, heat stress related illness hazard communication training, and assess engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal heat-protective equipment.

To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, indoor air quality, environmental, health, and safety services, please visit www.ctsiweb.com, email contactus@ctsiweb.com , or call (212) 971-7016.

About CTSI
Established in 1992, Consulting & Testing Services, Inc. (CTSI) was founded on one strong commitment: to provide efficient and expert services to clients based on professionalism, innovation, and cost-effective expert solutions. This commitment has been furthered with CTSI’s reputation in fostering client relationships in all sectors of the Environmental, Health, Safety, and Construction industries. CTSI prides itself in utilizing a high quality service based on its diverse team of staff and professionals’ concise recommendations and solutions to the most pressing dilemmas. The company operates offices in New York and Florida that service clients across the United States.

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Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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