OSHA releases heat awareness app for mobile phones

Posted by Gary on August 3, 2012 under Construction Safety Gear, Occupational Safety products | Be the First to Comment

One of the more useful parts of the OSHA Heat Safety Tool reminds workers when to take a break and have a drink of water.

Industrial workers like construction contractors or engineers can now have more up-to-date access to information regarding excessive heat, thanks to a mobile phone app released by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

The app, called the Heat Safety Tool, is a means for the federal safety agency to transmit data easily to those on the job who need it the most. The primary feature on the program is a heat index that calculates air temperature and humidity to create warning levels. In addition, the app issues reminders to participants about drinking water, weather developments, information on heat illness symptoms and how to treat the condition.

"Whether you are harvesting blueberries or paving a road, working outdoors can pose a danger here in Maine when the temperature soars, especially for people not used to being out in hot weather," Maine Commissioner of Labor Robert Winglass told the industry news source WorkersCompensation.com. "This app is a simple way to keep an eye on both the temperature and worker safety."

Winglass stressed that the app is not meant for just workers.  Because everyday people require the same information before they travel or engage in recreational activities, OSHA has released the program on its website as a free download for iPhone and Android-based smartphones.

However, understanding heat illness and how to spot it is only part of the battle. Construction and manufacturing firm managers should make sure that they have first aid products on hand in order to treat stricken employees. Other forms of protective clothing like temperature-resistant uniforms can also help to keep those on job working safely and efficiently.