Rob Miller - SAIF

With this week’s summer-like weather, it’s a great time to think about heat safety for your workers. You may recall that, in 2022, Oregon adopted protections for employees exposed to excessive heat. Oregon’s heat safety rules kick in when the heat index equals or exceeds 80°F, whether you’re working outdoors or in buildings without air conditioning. · Let’s talk about what’s required at that point: o Provide shade, or alternative approved cooling methods (such as cooling vests) when access to shade is unfeasible or unsafe. o Provide cool drinking water, at least 32 ounces per hour per employee. o Limit exposure, starting with no more than 20 percent exposure for new workers. o Provide annual training, including how to recognize and respond to signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. · Additional requirements apply when the heat index reaches 90°F, including enhanced communication, an emergency response plan, and more frequent rest breaks. · While it’s not required by OSHA, consider setting up a buddy system so employees can monitor each other for signs of heat-related illness. · We have more information on staying safe in hot weather at S-A-I-F dot com slash heat.