On the Line: Public Safety Risk Management: OSHA’s New Heat Safety Directive and Key Points for Public Safety

A guest post by LMCIT Public Safety Specialist Troy Walsh

In public safety we don’t always get a choice to change our schedules or move an emergency to another day. How does the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) new heat safety directive affect public safety and the weather that we just can’t wait out? If your organization is already doing some type of recycle or rehab cycles for staff you may be already in compliance, but if you’re not it needs to be implemented!

OSHA implemented a National Emphasis Program (NEP) in April to reduce health-related hazards and resulting injuries and illness caused by excessive heat in the workplace. This article will provide you with the basic information you’ll need to know and give you quick access to additional information.

Many of you are probably already following this directive: Much of it is common sense. But it’s a good reminder of how to prevent heat-related injuries and illness. Remember, heat stress can happen indoors too.

Let’s look at the key points of the NEP.

NEP at a glance:

The NEP is a nationwide initiative modeled on existing Regional Emphasis Programs (REP) in southern states.
It applies to indoor and outdoor workers where the heat index reaches 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
There will be unannounced on-site visits by compliance safety and health officers (CSHOs) who will “observe workers performing strenuous work in heat.”
Visits may occur based on heat-related complaints, referrals, and reported heat illness.

Employers should:

Create a written plan to prevent heat-related illness.
Provide awareness training to employees.
Provide specific steps to prevent, identify, and treat heat-related illnesses.
Identify and control heat hazards.
Monitor workforce health and consider the current heat index and expected weather-related changes.
Provide water, rest, and shade. For workers with two-hour or greater exposure times, fluids containing electrolytes must also be accessible.
Recognize early symptoms of heat stress.
Administer first aid for heat-related illnesses.
Activate emergency medical services quickly when needed.

WHEN IN DOUBT CALL 911

What if you are 911, do you have a plan?

Most of you are already doing this! Plan your work cycles in accordance with the weather, allows for more frequent and longer breaks in the air-conditioned areas or at least in the shade, drink extra water, keep an eye on each other, and if you or someone else is showing symptoms of heat stress, get additional help!

A handy heat reference

Last thing, to remember, heat related safety is in the palm of your hand. Literally. Yep, there’s an app for that. The OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool includes everything you need including current local weather, a heat index calculator, diagnosis information, and treatment steps for heat illness. Go to https://www.osha.gov/heat/heat-app or the app store of your iPhone or Android and download the “OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool.”