Summer may not yet officially be here, but it is already getting hot!  Now is a good time for employers to review policies and procedures to ensure the safety of employees who work in outdoor or indoor heat environments.  The safety message of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Heat Illness Prevention Campaign comes down to three words:  Water. Rest. Shade.

In addition to providing workers with water, rest, and shade, OSHA reminds employers:

• Allow new or returning workers to gradually increase workloads and take more frequent breaks as they acclimatize, or build a tolerance for working in the heat.
• Plan for emergencies and train workers on prevention.
• Monitor workers for signs of illness.

For more information on how employers can keep workers safe and what workers need to know, visit OSHA’s Occupational Heat Exposure website.  OSHA also has various publications to assist employers with heat illness educational and training materials.