Workplace Ergonomics: A Deep Dive into The Ergonomics Center

In today’s fast-paced work environment, prioritizing employee well-being and productivity is paramount. One key aspect often overlooked is ergonomic design, which plays a crucial role in creating a comfortable and efficient workspace. In this blog post, we’ll explore a valuable resource for workplace ergonomics and safety – The Ergonomics Center.

 

Understanding the Significance of Workplace Ergonomics

Before delving into the wealth of resources offered by The Ergonomics Center, let’s briefly revisit the importance of ergonomics in the workplace. Ergonomics not only enhances employee well-being but also boosts overall productivity by creating workspaces that reduce discomfort and minimize the risk of musculoskeletal disorders.

Navigating The Ergonomics Center’s Resources

The Ergonomics Center, housed at NC State University, stands out as a comprehensive hub for ergonomic tools and resources. The website’s Resources and Tools Hub provides a user-friendly interface, making it easy for professionals in the field to access valuable information.

a. Ergonomic Assessment Tools

The Ergonomics Center offers a range of assessment tools designed to evaluate the ergonomic aspects of workstations. From simple self-assessment checklists to more detailed evaluations, these tools empower employers and employees alike to identify and address potential ergonomic issues.

b. Training Modules and Workshops

Keeping up with best practices in ergonomics is crucial for creating a safe and healthy work environment. The website provides access to training modules and workshops, ensuring that professionals can continually enhance their knowledge and skills in the field.

c. Research and Insights

Stay informed about the latest developments in ergonomics through The Ergonomics Center’s repository of research articles and insights. From case studies to whitepapers, the platform offers a wealth of information that can inform decision-making in workplace safety and ergonomics.

How The Ergonomics Center Benefits Industry Professionals

a. Streamlined Access to Information

The website’s intuitive design ensures that users can easily navigate and find the information they need. This saves time and makes it a go-to resource for professionals looking to stay updated on the latest ergonomic trends.

b. Evidence-Based Practices

With a foundation in research and academia, The Ergonomics Center emphasizes evidence-based practices. This commitment to quality ensures that the information provided is reliable and aligns with industry standards.

Things to Remember

The Ergonomics Center emerges as a valuable ally for professionals in the workplace safety and ergonomics consulting industry. By offering a plethora of resources, tools, and insights, the website not only educates but also empowers individuals and organizations to create healthier, more ergonomic workspaces.

As we continue to prioritize employee well-being, platforms like The Ergonomics Center play a pivotal role in fostering a culture of safety and efficiency in the workplace. Explore the website and unlock the full potential of ergonomic design for a healthier, more productive workforce.

Resources:

More Tools & Resources from Peak Ergonomics

Contact Us About Reducing Workplace Injuries

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DOL Proposed Rule Changes Regarding Authorized Employee Representation During Workplace Inspections

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a notice of proposed rulemaking to revise regulations. Moreover, who can be authorized by employees to act as their representative during OSHA physical workplace inspections.

The proposed rule clarifies that employees can authorize an employee or a non-employee third party for inspections. (if the compliance officer determines the third party is reasonably necessary to conduct an effective and thorough inspection)

The proposed changes also clarify that third-party representatives, not just industrial hygienists or safety engineers, can be included as examples in the existing regulation. Furthermore, compliance officers can receive valuable insights during inspections from third-party representatives with skills, knowledge, or experience. They may have experience with specific hazards, workplace conditions, or language skills that improve communication with workers.

“Congress considered worker participation a key element of workplace safety and health inspections when it passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act,” explained Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. “This proposal aims to make inspections more effective and ultimately make workplaces safer by increasing opportunities for employees to be represented in the inspection process.”

Seeking Public Comment

In addition to the NPRM’s proposed revisions, OSHA is also seeking public comment on the criteria and degree of deference OSHA should give to employees’ choice of representative in determining whether a third party can participate in an inspection.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act gives the employer and employees the right to have a representative authorized by them accompany OSHA officials during a workplace inspection to aid the investigation. Employee participation and representation is critical to an inspector’s ability to complete a thorough and effective workplace investigation and helps OSHA gather information about the job site’s conditions and hazards.

The proposed revisions uphold OSHA compliance officers’ authority to determine if an individual is authorized by employees. Additionally, they can limit participation in walkaround inspections to address interfering conduct or protect trade secrets.

More Info on the Topic of Authorized Employee Representation During Workplace Inspections

Submit comments at Regulations.gov, the federal eRulemaking portal by Oct. 30, 2023. Include Docket Number OSHA-2023-0008 on all submissions. Read the Federal Register notice for more information.

Learn more about OSHA

More Tools & Resources from Peak Ergonomics

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Supportive Supervisors & Co-Workers Improve Sleep

New research conducted by a team of Scandinavian-based researchers highlights how having supportive supervisors improve sleep. Drawing from extensive data obtained from the Work Environment and Health in Denmark study, Finnish Public Sector Study, and Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health, the researchers analyzed responses from nearly 115,000 participants over a period of up to six years. (Study: JAMA Network Open)

The participants were specifically questioned about their workplace environment, focusing on factors such as leaders’ listening skills, perceived fairness, co-worker support, and collaboration. The researchers discovered that those who reported favorable psychological and social support at work experienced a notable decrease in the risk of sleep disturbances.

During the study, approximately 53% of the participants reported a change in their workplace environment within a two-year period. Positive changes in the work environment directly reduced the risk of various sleep disturbances, including difficulties in falling and staying asleep, poor-quality sleep, and experiencing daytime tiredness over one to three months.

Based on these significant findings, the researchers emphasize the importance of implementing multilevel workplace interventions to promote both short- and long-term sleep quality among workers.

By optimizing the work environment and fostering supportive relationships among colleagues and superiors, individuals can pave the way for improved sleep patterns and overall well-being.

Contact us today and let us help you to improve your employee’s health and reduce work-related injuries.

Related article:  Better Sleep with an Opened Window

• The results revealed that participants who had their windows open reported experiencing deep sleep. 87% of them expressing this compared to 70% of those who slept with closed windows. Furthermore, participants who slept with an open window performed better on the cognitive test the following morning.
• This suggests that individuals should ventilate their bedrooms with clean outdoor air or supply them with air that is equivalent to clean outdoor air during the night.

More Tools & Resources from Peak Ergonomics

Healthy Employees are the Bottom Line!

 

Raising Heat Hazard Awareness

OSHA sponsors a ‘Beat the Heat’ Contest to raise awareness about the hazards of heat exposure in indoor and outdoor workplaces. Moreover, they held an informational webinar for the contest on May 16th. If you would like to watch the recording, you can click here. In addition, the contest welcomes stakeholders nationwide, including businesses, unions, educational institutions, government entities, and individuals. Participants must create an awareness tool, such as an infographic, training curriculum, poster, logo, etc., to improve heat hazard recognition among employers and workers in workplaces.

The contest is open NOW and the deadline for entries is June 9.

For more information, visit OSHA’s Beat the Heat Contest webpage.

Hot Tips to Stay Safe and “Beat the Heat”

Workers should be trained to recognize the symptoms of heat illness in themselves and the signs in others. Workers should not try to diagnose the illness itself (e.g., heat stroke vs. heat exhaustion) but instead be able to recognize that it’s happening and take immediate action.

Use this infographic from OSHA to train your workers to identify the signs and symptoms of heat illness and the actions to take in response to them. Don’t wait until it’s too late; train your workers today!

Encourage Hydration to “Beat the Heat!”

The redesigned infographic, Water Keeps You Going, is now available for download from OSHA’s Heat Illness Campaign website. You have a choice of 17 different images that encompass both indoor and outdoor worksites. Moreover, we encourage you to post one in your workplace today to promote hydration among workers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NACOSH Meeting

The National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH) has scheduled a full committee meeting on May 31 from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. ET. Additionally, we are inviting the public to participate virtually in a listen-only mode. Furthermore, we will provide simultaneous Spanish audio interpretation via WebEx. To register, please visit the Highlights section of the NACOSH webpage.

More Safety Tools & Resources 

Performance-Related Pay (PRP) Linked to Chronic Stress, Heart Disease & Poor Mental Health

The University of Aberdeen led a study, published in the journal Industrial Relations, that discovered performance-related pay (PRP) is linked to heart disease, higher risks of chronic stress, and poor mental health among workers who depend on it.

In addition, the study, which analyzed data from the nationwide UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS), provides new evidence indicating that PRP employees, especially men, exhibit higher levels of fibrinogen, a marker of chronic stress. Unlike previous inconclusive studies relying on self-reported data prone to bias, this study employed a meticulous statistical analysis, including physiological measures such as blood pressure and stress biomarkers from blood samples.

These findings underscore the necessity for companies utilizing PRP contracts to implement policies aimed at mitigating worker stress. Professor Keith Bender, the SIRE Chair in Economics at the University of Aberdeen Business School and co-author of the interdisciplinary study, emphasizes that the research supports the notion of physical wear and tear among PRP workers, aligning with earlier studies that have associated PRP with poor health, encompassing self-reported mental health issues and cardiovascular health problems.

How Should Companies Respond?

Better Sleep with an Opened Window (research study concludes)

Better sleep with an opened window? A team of Danish researchers concludes that the air quality in your bedroom while you sleep could be linked to better work performance. The researchers conducted a field intervention of 40 bedrooms in Denmark over a two-week period and monitored participants’ sleep quality using a wearable device. Additionally, participants logged their daily activities and sleep electronically. Every morning, they took a three-minute cognitive-abilities test.

The results revealed that participants who had their windows open reported experiencing deep sleep. 87% of them expressing this compared to 70% of those who slept with closed windows. Furthermore, participants who slept with an open window performed better on the cognitive test the following morning.

This suggests that individuals should ventilate their bedrooms with clean outdoor air or supply them with air that is equivalent to clean outdoor air during the night.

Highlights of the Research Study:

• Researchers conducted a field intervention study in 40 bedrooms.
• Perceived air quality improved and the concentration of CO2, VOCs, and PM10 decreased when a window was open.
• Objectively measured and subjectively rated sleep quality improved after sleeping with an open window.
• Opening a bedroom door reduced CO2 concentration but did not provide any of the above benefits.

Contact us today and let us help you to improve your employee’s health and reduce work-related injuries.

Related article:  Supportive Supervisors Improve Sleep

• Drawing from extensive data obtained from the Work Environment and Health in Denmark study, Finnish Public Sector Study, and Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health, the researchers analyzed responses from nearly 115,000 participants over a period of up to six years.
• The participants were specifically questioned about their workplace environment, focusing on factors such as leaders’ listening skills, perceived fairness, co-worker support, and collaboration. The researchers discovered that those who reported favorable psychological and social support at work experienced a notable decrease in the risk of sleep disturbances.

More Tools & Resources from Peak Ergonomics

Healthy Employees are the Bottom Line!

Prevent Workplace Falls News Update

Fall Prevention Update from OSHA

US Department of Labor announces national emphasis program to reduce, prevent workplace falls, a leading cause of workplace fatalities. OSHA initiative aligns enforcement, outreach efforts to protect workers.

The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that its Occupational Safety and Health Administration has begun a National Emphasis Program to prevent falls, the leading cause of fatal workplace injuries and the violation the agency cites most frequently in construction industry inspections.

The emphasis program will focus on reducing fall-related injuries and fatalities for people working at heights in all industries. The targeted enforcement program is based on historical Bureau of Labor Statistics data and OSHA enforcement history. BLS data shows that of the 5,190 fatal workplace injuries in 2021, 680 were associated with falls from elevations, about 13 percent of all deaths.

“This national emphasis program aligns all of OSHA’s fall protection resources to combat one of the most preventable and significant causes of workplace fatalities,” said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. “We’re launching this program in concert with the 10th annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction and the industry’s Safety Week. Working together, OSHA and employers in all industries can make lasting changes to improve worker safety and save lives.”

The program includes guidelines for identifying and examining fall hazards. Additionally, OSHA compliance safety and health officers can initiate inspections when they spot someone working at heights. Furthermore, an outreach component of the program aims to educate employers about best practices to ensure their workers’ safety. If no inspection is necessary after an onsite observation, compliance officers will provide fall protection outreach and leave.

More Tools & Resources

Learn more about federally required fall protection.

Learn more about OSHA.

More Tools & Resources from Peak Ergonomics

Learn more about Early Intervention Ergonomics.

Pain from Sitting Too Long? The Anatomy behind Prolonged Sitting 

(Video Credit: Muscle and Motion, June 7, 2020, 2:08)

Healthy Work Solutions to Prolonged Sitting

Prolonged sitting can cause a variety of physical problems, including pain. Here are some of the common types of pain that can be caused by prolonged sitting:

1. Lower back pain: Sitting for long periods can put a lot of pressure on your lower back, which can cause pain and discomfort. This is especially true if you have poor posture or a chair that doesn’t provide proper lumbar support.
2. Neck and shoulder pain: When you sit for long periods, you may slouch forward, which can cause strain on your neck and shoulders. This can result in pain, stiffness, and even headaches.
3. Hip pain: Sitting for extended periods can also lead to hip pain. As your hip flexor muscles can become tight and strained from being in a seated position for too long.
4. Leg pain: Sitting for long periods can also affect blood flow and circulation in your legs, which can lead to pain, numbness, and tingling.

To alleviate the pain caused by prolonged sitting, you can try the following:

1. Take frequent breaks: Get up and move around every 30 minutes to an hour. This can help to relieve pressure on your back and improve circulation.
2. Use an ergonomic chair: Invest in a chair that is designed to support good posture and provide proper lumbar support.
3. Stretch regularly: Take breaks to stretch your neck, shoulders, back, and legs to help relieve tension and improve circulation.
4. Exercise regularly: Regular exercise can help to improve posture, strengthen muscles, and improve circulation, all of which can help to reduce the pain caused by prolonged sitting.
5. Use a standing desk: If possible, switch to a standing desk. Also, you can alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day to reduce the amount of time you spend sitting.

More Tools & Resources from Peak Ergonomics

 

 

 

 

 

 

Workplace Stress Resources

We wanted to make sure you were aware of OSHA’s Workplace Stress Safety and Health Topics Page, which provides resources to help employers support the mental health and well-being of their workforce. The webpage includes resources for both senior managers and front-line supervisors—including “Getting Started” guides and checklists. Here are three workplace posters offering tips on how employers and workers can work together to address stress and mental health in the workplace.

The Workplace Stress page complements OSHA’s existing pages on Worker Fatigue and Preventing Suicides. As a reminder, OSHA’s poster, Suicide Prevention: 5 Things You Should Know, is also available in English and Spanish.

Mental Health Challenges

Stress can be harmful to our health and increase mental health challenges. Mental health challenges can include clinical mental illness and substance use disorders as well as other emotions like stress, grief, feeling sad and anxious, where these feelings are temporary and not part of a diagnosable condition. While there are many things in life that induce stress, work can be one of those factors. However, workplaces can also be a key place for resources, solutions, and activities designed to improve our mental health and well-being.

Workplace stress and poor mental health can negatively affect workers through:

• Job performance
• Productivity
• Work engagement and communication
• Physical capability and daily functioning

Loneliness. Isolation. Uncertainty. Grief. Fear. Stress can increase these and other mental health challenges and can be harmful to our health. The amount and type of stress experienced varies from person to person due to many factors, including those experienced at work.

While there are many things in life that induce stress, work can be one of those factors. Workplace stress and poor mental health can negatively affect workers through their job performance and productivity, as well as with their engagement with others at work. It can also impact worker physical health, given that stress can be a risk factor for various cardiovascular diseases. However, workplaces can also be a key place for resources, solutions, and activities designed to improve our mental health and well-being.

Finally, check out our podcast on Musculoskeletal Disorders: How Muscle Injuries Take a Mental Toll

OSHA Heat Source Newsletter & Heat Illness Prevention Campaign

We wanted to make you aware that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published the first issue of The Heat Source, the newsletter of the Heat Illness Prevention Campaign. Please see below. To subscribe to the OSHA heat source newsletter, please visit OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention Campaign webpage, or click here.

Employers should be concerned about heat illness because it can have serious consequences for their workers and their business. Heat illness can lead to a range of health problems such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke, dehydration, and even death. These conditions can cause significant harm to workers, and can result in lost productivity, increased healthcare costs, and potential legal liabilities for employers.

In addition to the direct health impacts on workers, heat illness can also have indirect impacts on a business. When workers are suffering from heat illness, they make more mistakes, and are at greater risk of injuries. This can lead to decreased efficiency, increased costs, and lost revenue for the business. Furthermore, employers who fail to protect their workers from heat illness may face penalties, lawsuits, and damage to their reputation.

OSHA’s Civil Penalty Amounts

The U.S. Department of Labor announced changes to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) civil penalty amounts based on cost-of-living adjustments for 2023.

In 2015, Congress passed the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act to advance the effectiveness of civil monetary penalties and to maintain their deterrent effect. Under the Act, agencies are required to publish “catch-up” rules that adjust the level of civil monetary penalties and make subsequent annual adjustments for inflation no later than January 15 of each year. This year, January 15 falls on a Sunday and January 16 is a federal holiday. Therefore, new OSHA penalty amounts will become effective Jan. 17, 2023.

OSHA’s maximum penalties for serious and other-than-serious violations will increase from $14,502 per violation to $15,625 per violation. The maximum penalty for willful or repeated violations will increase from $145,027 per violation to $156,259 per violation.

Visit the OSHA Penalties page and read the final rule and press release for more information.

Please visit our Resources page for addition useful safety tools and information for employers.

Buckle Up Phone Down Business Showdown

What is the Buckle Up Phone Down Business Showdown?

The Buckle Up Phone Down Business Showdown is a competition that runs from January 9 to March 31, 2023, and is open to all Missouri employers with five or more employees. In order to be eligible for the Business Showdown, businesses must meet certain requirements. To participate in the Business Showdown, businesses must meet several requirements. First and foremost, they must have five or more employees. Then, they must register for the Showdown through the provided link. In addition, businesses must adopt a safe driving policy that provides a sample policy along with other communication and educational materials. Moreover, employers must request that their employees complete an online distracted driving training video and submit an online Buckle Up Phone Down pledge.

Businesses that have the highest percentage of employees completing the training and taking the Buckle Up Phone Down Pledge by March 31, 2023, can win cash prizes to use towards employee safety initiatives. Additionally, the judges will award cash prizes to the top three businesses, with first place receiving $7,500, second place receiving $6,000, and third place receiving $5,000. Moreover, the judges will invite the winning businesses to a recognition event at the Missouri State Capitol on April 26, 2023.

Upon completing the training video and taking the pledge, employees will become eligible for a chance to win a $25 gift card through a drawing. This provides an extra incentive for employees to participate and follow safe driving practices.

Accept the challenge!

So, businesses are encouraged to accept the challenge today and encourage their employees to drive like it’s their job, by buckling their seat belts and putting their phones down while driving! The creators of the BUPD Business Showdown aimed to spread the Buckle Up Phone Down message among employees and employers who drive for work. The Showdown is a competition, too, which means that businesses can compete and win $$$ for participating. Businesses can register on the Buckle Up Phone Down Business Showdown website and encourage employees to take the BUPD pledge.

Moreover, employees that take the BUPD pledge are committing to driving the speed limit, avoiding distracted driving, wearing seat belts, and avoiding impaired driving. It’s a great way to promote safe driving practices at the workplace and reduce the risk of accidents and injuries. Furthermore, there’s also a “BUPD Policy” in the Employer Toolkit section of the Showdown website. Missouri companies with fleets / work-related driving are encouraged to participate!

If businesses have any questions, they can direct them to Mark Woodward at [email protected] or (573) 289-5990. For more ways to reduce injuries at the workplace, check out our Tools & Resources page.

OSHA Enforcement Guidance Issued  |  January 26, 2023

OSHA Enforcement Guidance Issued – Focus on Repeat Offenders

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued a new enforcement guidance to make its penalties more effective in stopping employers from repeatedly exposing workers to life-threatening hazards or failing to comply with certain workplace safety and health requirements.

OSHA Regional Administrators and Area Office Directors now have the authority to cite certain types of violations as “instance-by-instance citations” for cases where the agency identifies “high-gravity” serious violations of OSHA standards specific to certain conditions where the language of the rule supports a citation for each instance of non-compliance. There are several conditions that need to be considered.  Firstly, lockout/tagout is one of the conditions that require attention. Secondly, machine guarding should also be given priority. Additionally, the condition of permit-required confined space needs to be addressed. Moreover, respiratory protection is another crucial aspect to be mindful of. Furthermore, falls should be taken into consideration when evaluating workplace safety. Trenching is yet another condition that requires careful attention. Lastly, it is important to note the specific recordkeeping violations applicable in cases of other-than-serious nature.

Discourage Non-Compliance

The change is intended to ensure OSHA personnel are applying the full authority of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA Act) where increased citations are needed to discourage non-compliance. The new guidance covers enforcement activity in general industry, agriculture, maritime and construction industries, and becomes effective 60 days from Jan. 26, 2023.

Issue Separate Citations

In a second action, OSHA reminded its Regional Administrators and Area Directors of their authority not to group violations, and instead cite them separately to more effectively encourage employers to comply with the intent of the OSHA Act.

The existing guidance on instance-by-instance citations are outlined in the OSHA Field Operations Manual, and CPL 02-00-080, “Handling of Cases to be Proposed for Violation-by-Violation Penalties.” In addition, for more information, please visit OSHA’s Enforcement website and press release.

Need Help Reducing Work-Related Injuries?

Peak Ergonomics has pioneered the field of early intervention. We have had thousands and thousands of successful cases; all we do is prevent injuries. Healthy employees are better employees. If we can keep your employees healthy and safe, it’s going to be good for everybody. This company’s focus drives us toward taking care of your employees. We have your best interest in mind. We will do anything and everything to help you in your business and your employees to prevent injuries and help you to have a well workforce. That’s all we do, and we want to help you.

Healthy Employees ARE the Bottom Line! – See the Numbers!

 

OSHA’s Cold Weather Resources

As we gear up for winter weather, you can find info using OSHA’s cold weather resources on safely using powered equipment like snow blowers, clearing snow from heights, winter driving, working around downed power lines, and more at https://www.osha.gov/winter-weather

• OSHA Winter Weather: Plan. Equip. Train.
• OSHA Cold Stress Guide
• Refrigerated Warehousing (listed under warehouse hazards)
• OSHA Safe Winter Driving

 

Remember the various hazards of shoveling snow, operating powered equipment like snow blowers and preventing slips on Snow and Ice. OSHA has resources available to help workers stay safe, including a new pamphlet on snow removal, a cold stress Quick Card in English and Spanish, and a Winter Weather web page.

Alliance participants resources include:

CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training Alliance products:

• Cold Weather Toolbox Talk. Also available in Spanish.
• Cold Weather Hazard Alert. Also available in Spanish.
• Cold Weather Infographics — Protect Yourself from the Cold (English attached)

Employers should assess their worksites and develop a plan prior to a winter weather emergency.  Please share this information, as appropriate.

Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:

1. Dress in layers: Wear warm layers of clothing, such as thermal underwear, wool or fleece sweaters, and a waterproof outer layer.
2. Cover your head, hands, and feet: The majority of your body’s heat is lost through your head, so wear a hat or head covering. Keep your hands and feet warm with gloves, mittens, and warm socks.
3. Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Dehydration can lead to hypothermia.
4. Avoid alcohol and caffeine: Both alcohol and caffeine can lead to dehydration, which can increase your risk of hypothermia.
5. Check your heating system: Make sure your heating system is functioning properly and that your carbon monoxide detector is working.
6. Keep your home warm: Keep your home heated to a safe temperature and use space heaters with caution.
7. Be careful when shoveling snow: Cold weather can put extra stress on your heart, so be careful when shoveling snow. Take frequent breaks and don’t overexert yourself.
8. Be prepared for emergencies: Keep extra blankets, food, water, and a first aid kit in case of power outages or other emergencies.

By following these tips, you can stay safe and healthy during cold weather.

Tools & Resources from Peak Ergonomics

Preventing Heat Illness at Work  |  Early Intervention Ergonomics

Preventing Heat Illness at Work: Tips for a Safe Work Environment

Heat illness is a serious concern that can impact productivity and the well-being of employees. As temperatures rise, it’s crucial for employers and workers to take proactive steps to prevent heat-related illnesses. In this article, we will explore practical tips and guidelines to create a safe and comfortable work environment.

Stay Hydrated

One of the most effective ways to prevent heat illness at work is by staying hydrated. Encourage employees to drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if they don’t feel thirsty. Provide easy access to cool drinking water and promote regular water breaks. Avoid excessive consumption of caffeinated or sugary beverages as they can contribute to dehydration. By keeping the body hydrated, employees can regulate their body temperature and reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses.

Dress Appropriately

Choosing the right clothing is essential to prevent heat illness. Opt for lightweight, loose-fitting, and breathable fabrics that allow for better air circulation. Encourage employees to wear light-colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight. Implement a relaxed dress code policy during hot weather to ensure comfort while maintaining professionalism. Additionally, consider providing personal protective equipment (PPE) designed to be breathable and heat-resistant, where applicable.

Schedule Smart

When possible, adjust work schedules to avoid the hottest parts of the day, typically mid-afternoon. If work demands outdoor activities during high temperatures, consider rescheduling or shifting tasks to cooler times. Break up physically demanding work into shorter, more frequent intervals, providing ample rest periods and shaded areas. This allows employees to recover, cool down, and reduces the risk of overheating or heat exhaustion.

Create Shaded Areas

Providing shaded areas is crucial, especially for outdoor workspaces. Set up temporary or permanent shade structures in areas where employees can take breaks and find respite from direct sunlight. Ensure that these shaded areas are well-ventilated to allow air circulation. Additionally, consider using fans or misting systems to further enhance the cooling effect. Encourage employees to take regular breaks in shaded areas to cool down and lower their body temperatures.

Train and Educate

Educating employees about heat illness prevention is key to maintaining a safe workplace. Conduct training sessions on recognizing the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Teach employees the importance of early intervention and how to respond in emergency situations. Provide information on preventive measures, including proper hydration, clothing choices, and scheduling considerations. Encourage workers to look out for each other and report any symptoms promptly.

Things to Remember

Preventing heat illness at work requires a proactive approach that prioritizes employee well-being. By implementing these tips, organizations can create a safe and comfortable work environment, reducing the risk of heat-related illnesses and improving overall productivity. Remember, a cool and hydrated workforce is a happy and healthy one.

By following these guidelines to prevent heat illness at work, employers can ensure the well-being of their employees while fostering a positive and productive workplace environment. Stay cool, stay safe!

OSHA Heat Illness Resources:

Heat Illness Prevention:  Employers Responsibility

Extreme Heat Can Be Deadly to Workers

Heat Illness Prevention – OSHA

 

Healthy Employees ARE the Bottom Line! – Learn More!

Tools and Resources from Applied Ergonomics Society