NHSC SUPPORTS FEDERAL ACTION TO PROTECT WORKERS FROM HEAT STRESS
10/11/2021
NHSC SUPPORTS FEDERAL ACTION TO PROTECT WORKERS FROM HEAT STRESS
We applaud the recent decision by the White House to take significant and vital steps to combat heat-related illnesses in the American Workforce. The National Heat Safety Coalition (NHSC) provides heat-safety research, education and awareness. Our organization was founded in 2020 to develop and implement comprehensive heat safety standards and solutions for organizations and their employees to keep workers safe. At the NHSC, we believe, and science proves, that implementing heat safety standards reduces heat illness and drives productivity in the workplace. Our objective is to help businesses enhance their safety programs with evidence-based heat safety protocols to ensure that every employee returns home safely to their families. Heat-related illnesses are 100% preventable and survivable – no one should die from a preventable illness.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other federal agencies are initiating a rulemaking process to mandate a federal heat stress standard. OSHA will also implement an enforcement initiative on heat-related hazards, develop a National Emphasis Program on heat inspections, and form a heat work group to engage stakeholders and inform ongoing efforts. The objective of the heat work group is to identify best practices for protecting workers from the dangers of heat stress.
With our recent publication in AGU’s GeoHealth surrounding evidence-based, feasible heat safety recommendations in the workplace and collective expertise in heat safety, industry, and heat stress prevention strategies, NHSC is fully equipped and prepared to support and enhance this federal action.
Our unique partnership provides:
· Korey Stringer Institute/University of Connecticut: peer-reviewed research on heat safety practices in the workplace and ability to test the efficacy of heat mitigation strategies across a wide range of occupations and working populations.
· Magid: one of the largest PPE distributors and manufacturers in North America and a leader in workplace safety innovations, has the ability to reach working class Americans and the companies that employ them: the people specifically impacted by workplace heat-safety issues.
· MISSION: Omnichannel marketed/advertised brand specializing in innovative cooling fabrics and products that help combat heat stress so you can do more and avoid heat stress. Broad channels to help distribute their technological innovations across the country.
As OSHA, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Health and Human Services begin the rulemaking process for a federal heat stress standard, we continue to work with businesses to improve their heat safety programs and drive research initiatives, education, and awareness of heat safety in the workplace.