VigiLife’s Post

Celebrating Progress & Ensuring Safety: A New Federal Heat Stress Standard ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In a week dedicated to celebrating pivotal declarations 🇺🇲, the VigiLife team is thrilled to acknowledge Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)'s significant step forward in announcing a new federal heat stress standard. This long-overdue measure is a testament to the commitment to protect workers nationwide. 🌟 At VigiLife, we understand that while this standard is a monumental stride, the diverse nature of human physiology and anatomy means that a one-size-fits-all model will face challenges, and that this rule should indeed be looked at as a first stride. As a team devoted to optimizing human health, safety, and performance, we recognize that perfection should not be the enemy of progress. 💪 This announcement marks a phenomenal step in the right direction, yet there is still much to be done by way of additional validated assessments within real-world environments to ensure & certify that interventions and protections are both effective and viable for all stakeholders. If executed well, this ruling can create a win-win-win situation for employers, employees, and regulators alike. 🎯 VigiLife is committed to bringing both safety and clarity to the new requirements of mandatory breaks and monitoring for signs of heat illness. These tasks can be challenging to manage effectively at scale, which is why solutions like VigiLife’s #SafeGuard are essential. 🛡️ OSHA's proposed rule includes critical measures such as monitoring employees for heat stress, providing adequate water and rest break areas, and implementing indoor work area controls. The requirements escalate with the heat index, ensuring additional protections as conditions become more severe. This holistic approach is crucial to safeguarding our workforce. 🚨 As we move forward, let us continue to innovate and advocate for practical solutions that enhance safety and performance in the workplace. Together, we can: (1) Ensure worker health & safety and federal compliance 🏥✅ (2) Empower organizational productivity & efficiency 📈⚙️ (3) Certify corporate responsibility & sustainability 🌱🏢 Together, we can ensure that this new standard not only meets but exceeds expectations, paving the way for a safer, healthier future for all. 🌍 CC: La Isla Network, Korey Stringer Institute, Rogers-O'Brien Construction, Aptima, Kestrel Instruments , Garmin, Polar Electro Oy

Lockton recently released an article related to the impact prolonged heatwaves have on workplace safety. I invite you to read more about Lockton's perspective on what should be included in health illness prevention plans as we head into another hot week. Don't have time to read it all? Here are my key takeaways: 1. A quarter of the U.S faces a prolonged heat wave with record temperatures, impacting cities liek Pheonix and El Paso 2. Businesses must consider potential risks to their workers due to extreme heat, particularly in outdoor industries, to prevent costly workers' compensation claims. 3. To mitigate these risks, employers should create prevention plans, offer adequate rest, shade, and fluids. Training can be provided to recognize heat-related illnesses, and establish protocols for responding to heat advisories https://lnkd.in/gwvEiz7e

🔍 **OSHA's Proposed Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Standard: What You Need to Know** 🔍 As temperatures continue to rise 🥵, so does the importance of protecting workers from heat-related illnesses. OSHA has introduced a proposed Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Standard aimed at safeguarding employees who work in high-temperature environments. The proposed standard is thoroughly examined, shedding light on: - The key elements and requirements of the new standard. - Potential impacts on employers and employees. - Best practices for compliance and ensuring workplace safety. For businesses and HR professionals, staying ahead of these regulatory changes is crucial. Implementing proactive measures now can not only ensure compliance but also foster a safer, more supportive work environment. Need guidance on how to start? #letschat #WorkplaceSafety #OSHA #HeatSafety #HR #Compliance #EmployeeWellbeing

*Safe Sound Week: Heat Stress* According to OSHA, thousands of workers become sick from occupational heat exposure each year—and some of these cases turn fatal. Hazardous heat exposure can occur indoors or outdoors, during any season, and to anyone. This is why it is important that all employers take steps to reduce heat exposure and protect employee health and safety. https://lnkd.in/geqyPmNQ

Make better decisions about H&S based on the input and experience of a range of people - consulting workers about health and safety can result in a healthier and safer workplace Employees can help you to identify hazards, assess risks and develop ways to control or remove risks

Sharing our analysis of OSHA's proposed Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Rule, which still has not been published in the Federal Register. Interestingly, in OSHA’s regulatory agenda published last week, the agency indicated that it would publish the notice of proposed rulemaking for the heat rule “08/00/24.” The 120-day public comment period for the proposed rule will not commence until its official publication. I find the rule's provision stating that the implementation of the requirements must be at no cost to employees, including paying employees their normal rate of pay when employees are “allow[ed] and encourage[d] . . . to take paid rest breaks . . . if needed to prevent overheating,” particularly concerning. This specific requirement—which applies to both the initial and high heat triggers—requires paid breaks, even beyond the rule's required minimum 15-minute paid rest break every two hours at or above the high heat trigger. This provision could lead to employee abuse.

A Crucial Step Towards Heat Safety in the Workplace Last week, the U.S. Department of Labor proposed a new rule to protect millions of workers from severe health risks of extreme heat—the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States.  This initiative, aimed at both indoor and outdoor work settings, stands to safeguard ~36 million workers and significantly mitigate heat-related injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. The proposed rule mandates employers to develop comprehensive injury and illness prevention plans tailored to controlling heat hazards. Key requirements include:  • Evaluation of Heat Risks: Regular assessment of heat risks in the workplace.  • Provision of Drinking Water: Ensuring workers have access to adequate hydration.  • Rest Breaks: Implementation of mandatory rest breaks to prevent overheating.  • Control of Indoor Heat: Measures to manage and reduce heat in indoor work environments.  • Protection for New/Returning Workers: Specific plans for acclimating new or returning workers to high-heat conditions.  • Training Emergency Procedures: Adequate training for workers and immediate action plans for heat emergencies.    Public participation is encouraged once the rule is published in the Federal Register. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gv58KFMd  Integral’s team of industrial hygienists and occupational health and safety professionals has extensive experience in heat stress, human health risk assessment, and regulatory compliance. We are skilled in evaluating heat stress risk among diverse worker populations and helping organizations develop comprehensive plans to prevent injuries and illnesses caused by workplace heat hazards. For inquiries about the new proposed rule or to learn more about our services, please contact A. Michael Ierardi, MES, MS, CIH, CSP or Taylor Burnham.  #OSHA #IH #heatstress #update

BREAKING NEWS: OSHA's Proposed Heat Illness Rule Released! Here are my initial observations and comments: Specification Standard: The new rule does not allow any discretion by employers regarding when to address heat as a workplace hazard. 80 Degrees Heat Index: Employers must provide drinking water and designated break areas. 90 Degrees Heat Index: Employers are required to monitor for signs of heat illness and provide mandatory 15-minute breaks every two hours. Heat Safety Coordinator: Employers must designate a heat safety coordinator and evaluate their heat safety plans annually. The comment period will be extensive, with employers and industry associations submitting their feedback on the new rule. You might consider submitting your comments too. There is a link below to OSHA's new page on the proposed rule.

Another scorcher today! Heat risk mitigation is an essential part of a well rounded workplace safety plan. Our consultants can review or help develop a Heat Illness Prevention Program and provide additional training on OSHA’s National Emphasis Program. Learn more about how we can help here: https://lnkd.in/gx8uUVbW. #workplacesafety #osha #USI