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.