Insights on Outdoor Heat Exposure: OSHA Data Collection Pilot 2022
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) conducted a Data Collection Pilot from June to September 2022 to quantify outdoor heat exposure and assess employer heat illness prevention programs. Key findings include identifying elements of successful prevention programs, comparing workplace heat exposure using Kestrels and the OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool, and plans for improving the Pilot in 2023. The initiative involved multiple participating OSHA offices across different regions, with support activities like kickoff calls, data collection, training, and data analysis. The Pilot forms received showed the distribution of Desk Aid and Inspection activities, with a focus on complaints related to engineering controls. The Employer Heat Illness Program Elements and Inspection Heat Index results highlighted the importance of monitoring heat levels during inspections.
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Quantifying Outdoor Heat Exposure: Findings from an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Data Collection Pilot, June-September 2022
Data Collection Pilot Goals: Identify key elements of employer heat illness prevention programs associated with inspections under the Heat NEP Quantify workplace heat exposure using Kestrels and compare with the OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool application readings Model ways of improving the Heat NEP in 2023
Participating Offices Region 4 Mobile Jacksonville Tampa Ft Lauderdale Region 6 Oklahoma City Houston South Region 9 Phoenix San Diego Las Vegas Honolulu Oakland
Two Pilot Arms Inspection (NEP) Desk Aid (Complaint)
Support Activities Kickoff Calls (April-May) Collect data (July-Nov) Regional and Area Office Training (June) Analyze and Disseminate Data (Nov-Dec)
Pilot Forms Received July-September 2022 Desk Aid (Complaint) Inspection (NEP) Region 10 (33%) Region 4 29 (66%) 17 (57%) Region 6 8 (18%) 3 (10%) Region 9 7 (16%) Total 30 44
Location: Desk Aid and Inspection 100% 80% 60% Vehicle Indoor Outdoor 40% 20% 0% Desk Aid (n=30) Inspection (n=41)
Complaints related to an engineering control: Desk Aid (n=30) Yes No Don't know 14% 41% 48%
Employer Heat Illness Program Elements July - September 2022
Inspection Heat Index OSHA/NIOSH Heat App Reading Caution (60-79) Warning (80-94) Danger ( 95) Missing Total Total Most inspections were done on days when the Heat App reading was warning or danger 4 12 13 15 44
55% of inspection forms included measurement of environment heat (n=24) 42% 33% 25%
Heat Index Category Comparison between Kestrel and OSHA/NIOSH Heat Safety App (n=21) Kestrel/Quest Reading Average Heat Index 92 (Range: 74-106) OSHA/NIOSH Heat App Reading Average Heat Index 91 (Range:70-102) Caution (60-79) Warning (80-94) Danger ( 95) Caution Warning Danger 3 1 1 3 3 10
Key Heat Pilot Takeaways Successfully captured details about employer heat illness prevention programs during calls and inspections Higher percentage of desk aid forms were responses to indoor heat than inspection forms Many employers were providing rest, water, and shade, but were not adjusting work based on temperature or implementing acclimatization programs Heat Safety App and Kestrel had general agreement about heat index in outdoor environments
Next Steps Continue collection and analysis of employer heat illness prevention program data Implemented Regional Heat Coordinators Calls and Coordinated Heat Intraoffice Listen and Learn (CHILL) office hours
Update On April 1, 2023, eight questions about employer heat illness prevention programs were added to OIS for voluntary use during Heat NEP duty officer calls and Heat NEP programmed and unprogrammed inspections. CSHOs answered at least one employer heat illness prevention program question during 85% of the Heat NEP inspections and answered all questions during 80% of Heat NEP inspections. During duty officer calls, CSHOs answered at least one employer heat illness prevention program question 73% of the time and answered all questions 69% of the time.
Location Inspection Duty Officer Call 100% 90% Percent of Inspections/UPA 75% 80% 68% 70% 60% 49% 50% 40% 30% 23% 20% 10% 3% 4% 0% Outdoor Indoor Vehicle
Employer Heat Illness Prevention Program Elements 97% Is water available and easily accessible to all workers? 79% 96% Is there access to cool shaded areas? 67% 78% Does the employer adjust work based on temperature? 25% Does the employer provide structured mandatory rest breaks each working day? 76% 53% Does the employer provide training on signs and symptoms of heat illness, early recognition, and first aid measures for new and 73% 35% Is a heat buddy system in place (e.g., each worker has a co-worker who monitors another for signs/symptoms of heat illness)? 66% 28% Does the employer provide heat acclimatization for new and returning workers? 64% 24% 50% Does the employer have a written heat illness prevention program? 42% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Inspection Duty Officer Calls
Conclusion OSHA uses data as a strategic asset to inform heat illness prevention work including enforcement, rulemaking, and compliance assistance During Heat NEP inspections, employers commonly provided water and shade. Employers less commonly utilized a buddy system, acclimatization, training, and a written heat illness prevention plan were less common. Employer heat illness prevention program questions will remain in OIS for 2024 heat season.
Contact Information Beki Jackson Jackson.Rebecca.A@dol.gov Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Inspection Form Completion Rate by Area Office Area Office Pilot Forms Received NEP Completion Rate Inspections (OIS)* 13 26 15 13 23 9 23 29 151 Mobile Jacksonville Tampa Houston South Oklahoma City Las Vegas San Diego Phoenix Total 8 20 1 3 5 1 3 0 44 62% 77% 7% 23% 22% 11% 13% 0% 29%
Discordant Pairs OSHA/NIOSH Heat App Reading Kestrel/Quest Reading Number of Pairs Observation Danger ( 95) Warning 2 Indoor inspections (n=2) Caution (60-79) Danger 1 Possible technology challenge (n=1) Possible technology challenge (n=1) Indoor inspection (n=1) Possible timing / category boundary (n=1) Warning (80-94) Danger 3
