Safety Matters

OSHA to Develop Heat-Related Illness Rule, Ramp up Inspections

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is implementing an enforcement initiative on heat-related hazards, developing a National Emphasis Program on heat inspections, and launching a rulemaking process to develop a federal workplace heat standard. In addition, the agency is forming a National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Work Group to provide better understanding of challenges and to identify and share best practices to protect workers.

The OSHA enforcement initiative applies to indoor and outdoor worksites where potential heat-related hazards exist. Interventions and inspections will be prioritized on days when the heat index exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Employers are encouraged to implement intervention methods on heat priority days, including regularly taking breaks for water, rest, and shade; training workers on how to identify common symptoms and what to do when a worker suspects a heat-related illness is occurring; and taking periodic measurements to determine workers’ heat exposure. SWANA issued a Safety Matters tip sheet earlier this year providing guidance on preventing heat illness in both English and Spanish.

In October 2021, OSHA will begin the process of developing a federal heat standard by issuing an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) on heat injury and illness prevention in outdoor and indoor work settings. SWANA will review the ANPRM and share it with the membership for potential response. California has a heat standard and it is likely that some components of that state program will be included in a proposed federal heat standard. We do not expect a federal heat standard to take effect until 2023 at the earliest.

The agency is also working to establish a National Emphasis Program on heat hazard cases, which will target high-risk industries and focus agency resources and staff time on heat inspections. The 2022 National Emphasis Program will build on the existing Regional Emphasis Program for Heat Illnesses in OSHA’s Region VI, which covers Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

OSHA has recently published a Heat Illness Prevention at Work pamphlet [ EN/ SP] and updated poster [ EN/ SP] that explains how workers can protect themselves and provide first aid to others if necessary. And an OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool App is available for anyone to download to help plan outdoor work activities based on how hot it feels throughout the day. It features real-time heat index and hourly forecasts, specific to your location, as well as occupational safety and health recommendations from OSHA and NIOSH.

Accidents in the News

Boise, ID – A motorcyclist driving in a turn lane to pass other vehicles failed to negotiate a curve and hit a garbage truck, killing the motorcyclist. MORE

Addison, VT – A 30-year-old worker died after an equipment malfunction left him pinned between two dumpsters. The victim had one container on his truck that slid and crushed him against a second. MORE

Surrey, BC – A garbage truck reportedly backed over a pedestrian while collecting in a business plaza. MORE

Milbridge, ME – A 61-year-old motorcyclist died after allegedly using the oncoming lane to pass traffic when his motorcycle struck a turning trash truck. MORE

Rehoboth, MA – An elderly woman drove into the path of a garbage truck at an intersection, resulting in a collision that killed her passenger. MORE

Lackawanna County, PA – An RV disabled on an interstate was struck by a tractor-trailer transporting solid waste, killing an 82-year-old man. MORE

Commerce City, CO – A man driving a pickup truck was killed after crossing the center median and collided with an oncoming garbage truck. MORE

Bourbon County, KY – A garbage truck being driven by a manufacturer employee prior to delivery to the customer went off the road and killed the driver. MORE

Upcoming Safety Events

Ontario Chapter Landfill Fire Safety Training
November 9 – 10, 2021
Online
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Safety Summit @ WASTECON 2021
November 1 – 4, 2021
Orlando, Florida
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Virginia Chapter - Annual Health and Safety Session
November 10, 2021
Henrico, Virginia
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SWANA Canadian Safety Summit
November 23 & 24, 2021
Online
More info to come