The summer of 2021 is on track to be the hottest ever recorded, the New York Times reported, and experts are reminding construction workers to take precaution amid the climbing temperatures.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a reminder to workers exposed to high temperatures to have safety protocols in place on job sites. Heat illness prevention measures include:
Providing workers with water, rest and shade.
Allowing new or returning workers to gradually increase workloads and take more frequent breaks as they acclimatize to, or build a tolerance for, working in the heat.
Planning for emergencies and training workers on heat hazards and appropriate first aid measures.
Monitoring workers for signs of illness and taking prompt action if symptoms occur.
"Don't wait until a worker is sickened to address heat stress—take action," stated OSHA Area Director Michael Scime in Buffalo, N.Y. "Effective preparation and knowledge of the hazards of heat can save lives today, and in the future. Three simple words: Water, Rest, Shade can make a huge difference when implemented in the workplace."
