Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies - Workers Compensation Division’s Post

Heat Illness Checklist: Protect Your Workforce🌞🔆🌡🌻 Summer heat can pose a serious threat to employees in the workplace, but with proper precautions, it can be prevented. To help employers keep their workforce safe during scorching weather, KPA has created a practical guide. Here are some key highlights: 🌡 RECOGNIZE HEAT ILLNESS: Identifying heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke is the first step in prevention. 🌡 TRAIN EMPLOYEES: Ensure that all employees, especially those in high-heat areas, receive proper training on recognizing and responding to heat-related issues. 🌡 STAY HYDRATED: Implement hydration protocols and offer regular water breaks to hydrate your team. 🌡 CREATE COOLING STATIONS: Designate areas with shaded areas and equipment for quick relief. 🌡 SCHEDULE SMARTLY: Adjust work hours to avoid peak heat, minimizing exposure. 🌡 PROVIDE PROTECTIVE GEAR: Give employees heat-resistant clothing and PPE to mitigate risks. 🌡 MONITOR WEATHER: Understand the National Weather Service Heat Index to make informed decisions. 🌡 UNDERSTAND THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HEAT INDEX: The checklist includes a quick guide to understanding the Heat Index, helping you make weather-informed decisions about workplace safety during extreme heat. Protect your employees from heat-related illness with this concise checklist provided by the Insurance Journal. Ensure legal compliance and productivity this summer. Stay cool and safe! #businessowner #businessownership #riskmanagement

Implementing Heat Stress Prevention Strategies Prevention is key when it comes to heat-related illnesses. Employers should adopt heat stress prevention strategies to create a safe working environment. These measures may include providing shaded rest areas, frequent water breaks, and flexible work schedules during peak heat hours. Additionally, offering personal protective equipment designed to keep employees cool, such as breathable clothing and cooling vests, can significantly reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses. Training Employees and Supervisors Proper training for both employees and supervisors is crucial in managing extreme heat conditions. Employees need to be aware of the signs of heat-related illnesses and understand the importance of reporting any discomfort promptly. Supervisors should be well-informed about safety protocols, emergency procedures, and how to respond to heat-related incidents. Regular drills and workshops can help reinforce this knowledge and ensure everyone is prepared. At Trainability, we prioritize the safety of your employees in extreme heat environments. Get in touch with us today! #OccupationalHealthandSafety #RegulatoryCompliance #WorkplaceSafety #HealthSafety #PsychologicalSafety #MentalHealth #BeatHeat #ExtremeHeat #HeatRelatedIl

Incorporating human factors training and management principles into your heat-related health and safety strategy is a great way to head off the hidden risks that come with working in the blazing conditions of modern summers. Find out more here. #heatillness #hotwork #safestart

Summer is gearing up. To best protect your crew against the rising risk of heat stress, it’s critical to better understand the illness, warning signs and solutions for mitigating it. #heatstress #beattheheat #summersafety

As most of the country experiences a cold snap, winter vortex, or whatever the weather people want to call it this time around, this picture seemed oddly appropriate to post. I think it is fairly safe to say that our boy Sunny is not working in the cold, but instead has shed all but his skivvies and his boots because it is hot out. I'm guessing most of us are pretty thankful we aren't working with Sunny (not his real name, but given the sun's glow, it seemed appropriate). While this could be a situation where people are doing a job for themselves, given the amount poured already and the amount left to go given the rebar in the foreground, I suspect it isn't (and will assume it isn't for this post). We have talked about heat injury and illness prevention till we're red in the face (I'd say blue, but that suggests cold and red suggests hot). What we often don't talk about is the obligation to protect employees from cold, which is similar, albeit there are important differences between the two concepts. While the Occupational Safety and Health Administration doesn't have as much information about cold weather safety, it does have a page devoted to the topic. The weather isn't the only cold environment employers need to be mindful of, refrigerated areas, particularly freezers and freezing operations have their own challenges. What does OSHA recommend? Here's a bullet-point list of some expectations: -How to recognize the symptoms of cold stress, prevent cold stress injuries and illnesses; -The importance of self-monitoring and monitoring coworkers for symptoms; -First aid and how to call for additional medical assistance in an emergency; -How to select proper clothing for cold, wet, and windy conditions; -Other winter weather related hazards that workers may be exposed to, for example, slippery roads and surfaces, windy conditions, and downed power lines; -How to recognize these hazards; -How workers will be protected: engineering controls, safe work practices and proper selection of equipment, including personal protective equipment; and -Wearing more than just boots and skivvies (oh, I added that last point). Just like heat, different people, particularly people in different climates, respond to cold differently due to prevailing weather conditions. People also respond differently depending on whether they've acclimated to the weather or not. However, no different than with heat, employers need to be mindful of the cold weather and take measures to protect their employees from it. #odworkplacesafety #polarvortex #cold #osha #winter #underwear

📢Protecting Workers from Heat Hazards: An Urgent Priority!👷🌡️ The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a heat hazard alert, stressing the importance of safeguarding workers against heat illness or injury in both outdoor and indoor workplaces. With historically high temperatures posing serious dangers, OSHA intensifies its enforcement, focusing on high-risk industries like construction and agriculture. At LifeBooster, we share the commitment to prioritize workplace safety. Our data analytics solutions empower EHS professionals to conduct ergonomic and heat stress risk assessments at scale, providing invaluable insights to mitigate potential hazards. Our platform aligns with OSHA standards, enabling remote standardized risk assessments for better visibility and protection. As we stay dedicated to protecting workers, let's join forces to create safer and healthier work environments for all. Learn more about mitigating heat stress risk: https://lnkd.in/ghA_g4pm #EHS #OSHA #HeatHazards #workplacesafety  #safety #riskanalytics  #safetytech

HEAT ADVISORY!! The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for St. Francois County and other areas in Missouri from 11 AM Wednesday, July 26, 2023, until, 9 PM Friday, July 28, 2023. The dangerous heat could potentially continue into Saturday. Heat index values up to 100 and 106 degrees can be expected this afternoon, followed by heat indexes up to 109 are expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity may lead to heat illnesses. Additionally, isolated thunderstorms are possible over parts of the area tonight with a slight chance of thunderstorms over parts of the area Wednesday through Thursday. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned e

Heat stress occurs when the body's cooling system is overwhelmed by hot environments, risking heat-related illnesses. Our most recent blog delves into ten valuable tips for ensuring your employees' safety during the summer heat. ➡️View the blog now at https://lnkd.in/gqXyFhuZ #Heatstress #Healthandsafety #blog

The weather in Central Texas has been quite unpredictable this week. We've had 45-degree cold mornings that turned into nearly 80-degree hot and sunny, all in one day! Now keep that going and mix in some rain; that's Texas for ya'll! As we welcome the much-needed rain, it is crucial to ensure that your workplace provides a safe environment for your valued staff and guests.   Did you know that slips and falls are some of the most common accidents people experience, weather at home or work? It's a slippery world out there!   Here are three swift and clever suggestions to ponder as you contemplate enhancing safety within your workplace to minimize the risk of unfortunate mishaps:   1. **Provide Umbrella Stands/Bags** Offer umbrella stands near entrances to encourage visitors to store wet umbrellas before entering, preventing slippery puddles.   2. **Tread with Care**: Ensure that walkways and entrances are equipped with slip-resistant surfaces such as a fibrous mat to wipe shoes dry (check out our promotional product below!). Think of it as giving your floors a secret superpower – the ability to defy even the slipperiest of shoes. If available, consider a floor fan to help expedite the drying.   3. ** Ramp up awareness**: Keep your staff and guests informed and vigilant. Display caution signs in areas prone to wetness or where water tends to accumulate, such as entryways, and create awareness campaigns to remind everyone to tread carefully.   So, as we revel in these showers from above, let's also take a moment to ensure that your facility stands as a beacon of safety. After all, safety is not just a priority; it's a mindset.    Take a look below at one of our many solutions to keep your workplace floor dry this rainy season! Stay dry, stay safe!

HEAT ADVISORY!! The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for St. Francois County and other areas in Missouri from 11 AM Wednesday, July 26, 2023, until, 9 PM Friday, July 28, 2023. The dangerous heat could potentially continue into Saturday. Heat index values up to 100 and 106 degrees can be expected this afternoon, followed by heat indexes up to 109 are expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity may lead to heat illnesses. Additionally, isolated thunderstorms are possible over parts of the area tonight with a slight chance of thunderstorms over parts of the area Wednesday through Thursday. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned e