Hot under the collar: An evaluation of heat illness prevention activities on a Georgia construction site

The record-breaking temperatures – and associated preventable deaths – of the past two summers are a reminder of the importance of heat safety and awareness for employers, and especially those with outdoor workers in agricultural and construction trades. Common construction tasks are often highly strenuous and require additional protective gear, and frequently take place on un-shaded, open-ground jobsites, which increase the heat load and risk for employees. This session will discuss the results of on-site construction work activity evaluations conducted by the State of Georgia's OSHA Safety and Health Consultation Program during the summer of 2012, and additional recommendations for improved and feasible management strategies for preventing heat illness on construction sites. The findings of the on-site evaluations support OSHA's Heat Illness Prevention Campaign to promote the development of occupational programs incorporating and supporting acclimatization periods, rest breaks, training on signs and symptoms of heat-related illness, and measurement of workload activities.