Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1519794
38 Pallet C e nt ral May -Ju ne 2 0 24 SAFETY BY ADELE L. ABRAMS, ESQ., ASP, CMSP W hatever the weather, employers are responsible for protecting workers from temperature extremes, according to the federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). Most of the discussion in recent years has focused on heat illness prevention, in large part because a half-dozen states have or are developing rules concerning this hazard and OSHA is working on a proposed rule as well. Between 2010 and 2020, over 265 workers died on the job from heat-related causes in the United States, and these deaths may be underreported. Workers who are elderly, or workers of any age who take medications that advise against working in the sun or heat, will be at elevated risk for heat illness and death and should advise employers if they need to limit their exposure for medical reasons. But heat illness is only part of the story when it comes to workers and weather hazards— and employers have a "general duty" to protect employees from "recognized hazards" that can cause death or serious harm to workers. at includes heat, cold, lightning, tornadoes and more! If the employer fails to provide effective programs that protect workers from weather-related hazards, OSHA can issue a citation under Section 5(a)(1) of the federal Occupational Safety & Health WHATEVER the WEATHER, SAFETY FIRST!