b'A s most employersemployees and those returning know, but seldomfrom extended time away, such as address adequately,vacations or leaves of absence.It working in a hotalso urges implementing a work/environment putsrest schedule and providing a stress on an employees bodyclimate controlled area for cool cooling system.Too much heatdown.For those employers can result in dehydration, cramps,utilizing temporary employees, heat exhaustion and even a fatalthere is a greater risk of heat-heat stroke.The risk of heatrelated illnesses and OSHA would stress depends upon many factorsurge greater care in adopting an related to the individual employeeacclimatization program for them.and this makes the challengeSimply telling your employees that of making a safe workplaceit is a hot day and they should for all even more challenging. take breaks when they need Those risk factors include theto and drink as much water as employees physical condition, thenecessary, will not meet OSHAs temperature and humidity, clothingexpectations and could very worn, the pace of work and howeasily result in a citation.OSHA strenuous it may be, exposure tobelieves that employers should sun and environmental conditionsactively encourage at least 5 to 7 such as air movement. oz. of fluids be consumed every In utilizing OSHAs15 to 20 minutes.General Duty Clause, Section 5(a) OSHA is urging that each (1), the agency is attempting toemployer establish a heat stress make new law further regulatingprogram, but when the employer employers activities.A violationdoes so it may very well be of the General Duty Clause mayrecognizing that there is a hazard exist when workers have beenin the workplace which needs to working in a hot environment,be addressed meaningfully.Then, the employer is aware of thethe Compliance Officer may find heat-related dangers, and hasyour program inadequate.This not taken adequate protectiveis a dilemma for employers yet action for the workerssuchunresolved by the courts. as water, rest and shade.But,A heat stress program can have OSHA expects even more than OSHA is urging thatwater, rest and shade and thatTRAININGeach employeris why employers must takemany components, including:establish aadditional steps to address heatHazards of stressheat stressin the workplace.OSHA alsoResponsibility to avoid heat insists upon implementing anstressprogram acclimatization program for newRecognition of danger signs/www.mrca.orgMidwest Roofer 17'