The US Department of Labour’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a heat hazard alert to remind employers of their obligation to protect workers against heat illness or injury.
The move comes as scientists confirmed that July was on track to be the world’s hottest month on record.
OSHA will also intensify its enforcement where workers are exposed to heat hazards, with increased inspections in high-risk industries like construction, the Department of Labor said.
OSHA’s guidance on heat illness prevention for both employers and workers is available here.
Since 2011, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 436 people have died due to workplace heat exposure, with an annual average of 38 deaths between 2011 to 2019.
