Tech Talk: Heat Safety | Video

Jerame Novak | 7/5/2012

Hot summer weather is great if you`re going to spend some time at the pool. But if you work outdoors, getting too hot can be dangerous, even deadly. To keep workers safe, OSHA has resources both online and on your phone.

When you`re working in the heat, it`s important to stay cool. Wear a broad-brimmed hat, breathable clothing. And, of course, drink lots of water.

"First and foremost, hydration. I would encourage them to hydrate at every opportunity and not wait until you feel super thirsty before drinking," said OSHA Assistant Area Director Eric Brooks.

Not being careful can have fatal consequences.

"We`ve seen a large number of incidents, not necessarily here in the Dakotas, where nationwide, people are dying and people are going to the hospitals because of heat-related injuries."

To try to prevent those injuries, OSHA has launched its summer safety campaign, which includes many resources on its website, www.osha.gov.

"Right on the main page, we have our heat stress campaign and we have a lot of resources that are available," Brooks said.

In addition to the website, you can download the OSHA Heat Safety app to get information and precautions on the go.

"Simply put, you can put in the temperature and the humidity and it will calculate the heat stress index," Brooks said.

By using the "Get Current" feature, the app can automatically get the temperature and humidity for you.

OSHA also has handouts available. Whether you go high tech, or low tech, the important thing is to pay attention in the heat. Your life could depend on it.

The heat safety app is a free download for both iPhone and Android.

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