As hot and humid weather approaches, it is important to prepare to protect workers from the impacts of extreme heat. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, has designed a National Emphasis Program on Outdoor and Indoor Heat Hazards, known as the NEP, which utilizes an enforcement mechanism to inspect workplaces for heat-related hazards in high-risk worksites proactively.
Staff at the Virginia Peninsulas Public Service Authority, which provides solid waste management services to ten cities and counties in southeast Virginia, spend most of their time outside throughout the year. Last year the authority provided staff with additional PPE to help protect them from the heat.
“This past year we decided to do something extra, we decided to get some items to help them protect themselves,” said Tracy R. Hofmeyer, recycling coordinator/safety officer with VPPSA. “Each employee received a personal water cooler, five cooling headbands, and each received high-vis ranger hats – two per employee.”
The PPE was distributed in addition to information and training on the hazards of extreme heat and was funded through the VRSA Risk Management Grant program.
Learn more in the video below.