National Heat Safety Coalition releases the country’s first recommendations to combat industrial heat stress
Heat illness is 100% preventable, yet 11 workers suffer serious heat-related injury or death every day in the United States. Without federal standards for preventing heat illness on the job, the problem persists and stands to increase dramatically as the climate warms. At an average cost of $54,000 per heat prostration incident, the cost to families, employers, and the economy could become catastrophic.
The country’s first heat safety recommendations and guidance for industrial work were reviewed and accepted by the renowned scientific organization, AGU. Led by researchers at the Korey Stringer Institute (KSI) at the University of Connecticut, the 51-member team that developed these guidelines was comprised of NHSC members, doctors, industry leaders, and experts from NIOSH and the U.S. Military. The team’s recommendations focus on “protecting worker health and safety while also ensuring productivity.”