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June 1 was Heat Awareness Day in Wisconsin. General public heat safety guidance tips can be reviewed at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) website.
Employers should note that from 2011-19, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports 344 employment-related deaths in the United States were due to environmental heat exposure. Workplace safety experts believe the actual number of heat-related fatalities may be underreported or misreported as another cause, such as heart attacks. The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reminds employers and workers not to ignore the dangers of working in hot weather, indoors and out. And, remember that the Heat Awareness Campaigns such as "Water. Rest. Shade." can be the difference between ending the workday safely or suffering serious injuries.
For the first time, OSHA has launched a Heat Awareness National Emphasis Program (NEP) to protect millions of workers from heat illness and injuries. Through the NEP program, OSHA will conduct heat-related workplace compliance inspections before workers suffer completely preventable injuries, illnesses or, even worse, fatalities.
OSHA and its affiliates have also ramped up their Heat Awareness safety resources to assist Employers/Workers with Heat Illness Prevention compliance. These Heat Awareness resources include:
- Heat Illness: Prevent Heat Illness at Work Pamphlet (also available in Spanish)
- Heat Illness: Prevent Heat Illness at Work Poster (also available in Spanish)
- Prevent Heat Illness at Work: OSHA Alert (also available in Spanish)
The Center for Construction Research & Training (CPWR) also has a variety of Heat Awareness Resources:
The CWPR-OSHA alliance's Campaign to Prevent Heat Illness and OSHA - Occupational Heat Exposure websites provide a host of resources for employers and workers. The following are infographics with more detail:
Additionally, a public service announcement on heat illness prevention is also available in English (transcript) and Spanish (transcript).
OSHA and affiliates have also ramped up their heat awareness safety resources including publications and an alert in English and Spanish to assist employers and workers with heat illness prevention compliance.
Additionally, the Center for Construction Research & Training offers heat awareness resources such as a poster to build awareness about hot weather hazards.
Remember, OSHA's Heat Awareness safety campaign message comes down to three basic key words to stay safe: Water. Rest. Shade.
National Forklift Safety Day is observed the second Tuesday in June each year. This year's live event is scheduled to take place on June 14. The Industrial Truck Association (ITA) founded National Forklift Safety Day in 2014 to highlight the safe use of forklifts and serve as an annual reminder of the value of safety training and equipment checks in every industry that relies on forklifts.
The ITA is sponsoring a Washington, D.C.-based live in-person and virtual participation event on June 14. Various ITA, forklift manufacturers and OSHA representatives are slated to speak on the safe use of forklifts, the value of operator training, the need for daily equipment checks, and related topics. All are welcome to attend in person or virtually.
Check with your company's local forklift supplier and maintenance company to see if they are hosting a live feed local Forklift Safety Day viewing event, coinciding with the ITA's live national virtual broadcast.
Whether you are a member of the ITA, work in the material handling industry, government or come from the end-user community, the ITA invites you to register to take part in National Forklift Safety Day Virtual Events.
Applicable OSHA forklift/PIT/PIV safety resources include:
CPR & AED Awareness Week
National CPR & AED Awareness Week is June 1-7 each year. The week spotlights the importance of knowing and using these lifesaving skills. Each year, more than 350,000 Americans experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. About 70 percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in homes.
If you are called on to give CPR or use an AED in an emergency, you will most likely be trying to save the life of someone you know and love. The more people who know how to perform CPR and use an AED, the more lives can be saved. Check out the American Heart Association's resources, including the latest "Hands Only CPR" technics.
Beach/Riptide Awareness Week
The summer months also afford increased focus and attention to water safety, including boating and beach/swimming risks. June 5-11 is National Beach/Riptide Awareness Week.
Be alert and know how to avoid or survive getting caught up in rip current hazards while swimming. Consult resources on such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Rip Current Safety Toolkit and the Surviving Rip Current Hazards NOAA Webinar.
Trailer Safety Week
As the summer construction and public recreational boating and camping season heats up, June 5-11 is also National Trailer Safety Week. The mission of the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers is "To improve the safety of the nation’s roadways by raising trailer safety awareness through education of end users, dealers, and manufacturers on safe trailering practices." Visit the organization's website to learn more about trailer towing safety, such as driving tips, hitching, loading, cargo securement, trailer components, maintenance and more.
Lightning Safety Week
Wisconsin ranks in the top 15 states for lightning strike related deaths from 2011-20. The National Lightning Safety Council was established to promote lightning safety education and awareness. The Council is recognizing National Lightning Safety Awareness Week from June 19-23 this year. The week offers an opportunity to provide the public and employers with safety information about lightning safety.
Trench Safety Stand Down Week
June is also Trench Safety Month, with the week of June 20-24 designated as Trench Safety Stand Down Week. The Safety Stand Down presents an opportunity for employers to focus on and talk directly to affected employees and others about trench and excavation hazards, and reinforce the importance of using trench safety protective systems to protect workers from trenching collapse and cave-in entrapment hazards.
Visit the National Underground Contractor's Association's (NUCA) website for more information and Trench Safety Stand Down employee toolbox safety training ideas and resources.
While the NUCA takes the lead for Trench Safety Month/Week, also visit OSHA's Trench & Excavation website for related free safety resources. OSHA's Trench Safety Campaign focuses on Shore It. Shield It. Slope It.
The OSHA web site also has Trenching and Excavations-Safety-Soils Classifications free videos for worker safety training education.
Protecting the Safety of Women in Agriculture Week
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service, there are 1.2 million female producers, which equals 36 percent of the nation's 3.4 million producers. Additionally, 56 percent of all farms had a female producer. Female-operated farms accounted for 38 percent of U.S. agriculture sales and 43 percent of the nation's farmland.
June 27-July 1 is Protecting the Safety of Women in Agriculture Week. The organization. AgriSafe.org will host a different safety and health training topic each day via webinar.* Following is the schedule of topics, along with a link to learn more and register:
Monday, June 27, noon-1 p.m. ATV-UTV Safety for Women
Tuesday, June 28, noon-1 p.m. Appropriate PPE for Women in Agriculture
Wednesday, June 29, noon-1 p.m. Women and Heat Stress
Thursday, June 30, noon-1p.m. More than Milk: Strong Bones and Injury Prevention for Aging Women in Ag
Friday, July 1, noon-1 p.m. Zoonotic Disease and Pregnancy: A Deeper Dive
*Please note the materials to be covered was produced under OSHA grant number SH-37171-SH1 from OSHA. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. government.
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The month of July is the time for employers and workers to recognize and refocus their efforts on continued heat stress/illness awareness exposures. Commercial and all drivers are encouraged to participate in the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) 2022 Operation Safe Driver Week. This year's Operation Safe Driving Week is July 10-16. Throughout the week, police officers will monitor and ticket drivers of commercial and passenger vehicles who commit risky driving behaviors. Finally, with summer vacation plans post COVID-19 in full swing, family summer safety should be visited. More information to follow!
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