Loading
The oppressive heat we're enduring along the Gulf Coast this summer — and this is only June — can be especially troubling for companies whose employees must work outdoors.
One local labor law expert advises those companies to do whatever they can to protect workers from sunburn, dehydration and heat stroke, along with avoiding liability.
“Sun exposure and heat related injuries are common among outdoor workers,” says Steve Bernstein, managing partner of Fisher & Phillips' Tampa office, tells Coffee Talk. He advises clients to heed the Personal Protective Equipment rule under the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act, which states that employers must provide proper training and protective equipment to workers under certain conditions.
While OSHA has no specific regulations addressing employer responsibility regarding heat and sun-related hazards, Bernstein notes that construction workers are protected by the Personal Protective Equipment rule. Under the rule, clothing should be provided to protect employees' eyes, face, head and extremities from extreme temperatures and solar exposure.
Employers need to be aware of the risks and costs associated with illness and absence of employees who are affected by heat-related complications, Bernstein says. He suggests these tips:
• Schedule shifts to maximize the hours worked before or after the peak sun times, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Rotate workers in and out of sun-exposed areas to keep any one employee from getting overexposed.
• Require employees to wear protective eyewear, hats, and sunscreen (at least SPF 15) to protect them from harmful ultraviolet rays.
• Provide training on the use of these products under the PPE rule.
• Educate employees on prevention and early signs of heat exhaustion, dehydration and skin cancer.
Your free article limit has been reached this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited digital access to our award-winning business news.
Join thousands of executives who rely on us for insights spanning Tampa Bay to Naples.
