Michigan Issues Program to Reduce Heat-Related Hazards
The program will help workers in indoor and outdoor settings.
- By Alex Saurman
- Jul 22, 2022
Heat is a serious concern for workers across the globe. In 2019, 43 workers died from environmental heat exposure, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
One state is taking action to help reduce workplace heat hazards.
This week, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) introduced a State Emphasis Program (SEP) for indoor and outdoor heat-related hazards, according to a press release.
The state agency can use additional measures like “comprehensive inspection targeting and outreach,” which include “compliance assistance” and education, the press release said. Although the sample program was specially designed for outdoor heat, the elements are valuable and applicable for indoor heat as well.
MIOSHA also suggests employers use the sample heat illness prevention plan. This plan can be a template for employers who want to build their own.
“Whether you’re working indoors or outdoors, hot and humid conditions can pose serious risks to workers’ health, but heat-related illnesses are preventable.” said MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman in the press release. “That’s why we're reminding employers of their responsibility to provide workplaces free of known heat-related safety and health hazards and equipping them with a plan to establish their own heat illness prevention procedures.”
In April, OSHA issued a National Emphasis Program to reduce worker heat-related injury and illness.
About the Author
Alex Saurman is a former Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety,who has since joined OH&S’s client services team. She continues to work closely with OH&S’s editorial team and contributes to the magazine.