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National Heat Safety Coalition Created to Address Risk from Heat Waves

National Heat Safety Coalition Created to Address Risk from Heat Stress

July 14, 2021
Although heat illness is 100% preventable, thousands are injured every year from occupational heat exposure, with many cases ending in fatality.

A new alliance, the National Heat Safety Coalition, was announced on July 13. It was formed by The Korey Stringer Institute at the University of Connecticut, Mission, a company providing industry-related technologies and Magid, a PPE company.

“Heat stress is a constant concern for laborers who are called on to work in hot conditions,” says Dr. Douglas Casa, CEO of the Korey Stringer Institute. “The formation of this coalition will help develop better methods for heat safety such as body cooling, work to rest ratios, and hydration, which is an important part of our commitment to protecting workers.”

 Millions of U.S. workers are exposed each day to heat-related illnesses in their workplaces. Although heat illness is 100% preventable, thousands are injured every year from occupational heat exposure, with many cases ending in fatality. 50% - 70% of outdoor fatalities, whether on the job, from sports, or home improvements, occur in the first few days of working in hot environments. Heat illness is a problem indoors as well, as many manufacturing facilities with heat-producing equipment and no air conditioning are hotter on the inside than the summer temperatures outside.   

By forming the National Heat Safety Coalition, the organizations also aim to address the risk factors that may increase the susceptibility of heat-related illnesses on the job and identify current barriers in the industrial sector to help inform best-practice recommendations for the prevention of exertional heat illnesses.

 The group will establish heat safety solutions and standards for the industrial sectors as well as heat-safety research, solutions, education and awareness.

The National Heat Safety Coalition will kick off with a series of virtual roundtable discussions with major companies and consumer groups who possess a wide knowledge of health and heat safety, cooling solutions, and industrial needs.

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

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