U.S. Department of Labor Says Employer Vigilance Essential To Addressing Workplace Hazards That Peak in Summer

KANSAS CITY, MO ‒ The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is urging vigilance among employers and employees to address the types of workplace hazards that tend to peak in the summer months.

Hazards related to heat exposure, falls, trenching and excavation, struck-by objects and vehicles, electrical safety, workplace violence, grain bin engulfment and other risks in agricultural operations have been at their highest in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska in July, August, and September in the past three years.

"OSHA encourages employers to develop safety and health programs, hold safety stand-downs and toolbox talks, and conduct daily safety meetings to discuss common hazards," said OSHA Regional Administrator Kimberly Stille in Kansas City, Missouri. "Employers are required to provide workplace safety training to improve employees' ability to identify, evaluate, and effectively prevent safety and health hazards on the job."

OSHA's Safe + Sound Campaign encourages every workplace to have a safety and health program. OSHA's Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs offers practical advice on how an organization can create and integrate safety and health programs.

OSHA offers compliance assistance for small- and medium-sized businesses at no charge. Each state has an On-Site Consultation Program, a no-cost and confidential program to help employers learn about potential hazards at their workplace and to improve safety and health programs.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education, and assistance. For more information, visit https://www.osha.gov.