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The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released a free mobile application that enables workers and supervisors to monitor the heat index at their work sites in order to prevent heat-related illnesses.
“Summer heat presents a serious issue that affects some of the most vulnerable workers in our country, and education is crucial to keeping them safe,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.
Construction workers, landscapers and roofers were listed by OSHA as having some of the highest heat-related illness rates.
App Details
The app is available in English and Spanish and combines heat-index data from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration with the user’s location to determine necessary protective measures.
Based on the risk level of the heat index, the app provides users with information about precautions they may take, such as taking rest breaks, drinking fluids and adjusting work operations, OSHA said.
The app also offers information on the signs and symptoms of heat stroke, heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses and provides users with first-aid information for emergency situations.
Information for supervisors, including detail on how to gradually increase workload for new workers and how to train employees on heat illness signs and symptoms are also featured in the app. Users also can contact OSHA directly through the app.
The app is designed for devices using an Android platform; versions for BlackBerry and iPhone users will be released shortly, OSHA said.
Download the app here: http://go.usa.gov/KFE.
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