In the United States, heat-related deaths have increased year after year, with approximately 1,700 in 2022 and then 2,300 in 2023. Heat stress continues to be a concern for workers exposed to high temperatures on the job, those wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), and anyone working in extreme heat environments.
As concerns about job-related heat injuries and deaths rise, The White House has pushed the Department of Labor, which oversees the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), to propose a new heat rule this summer to address the issue.
Proposed OSHA Legislation to Monitor Heat Threshold for Workers in High-Temperature Environments
While the General Duty Clause from the OSHA Act of 1970 requires employers to provide work environments free of recognized hazards, anticipated legislation this summer would introduce new heat safety requirements.
In the coming months, OSHA is expected to propose a rule to address the growing heat crisis. The legislation would likely require employers to protect workers from high temperatures and extreme heat on the job. It would set clear standards regarding heat exposure for workers in both indoor and outdoor settings, such as certain heat thresholds that, if reached, would require employers to offer additional heat protections or monitor for signs of heat-related illnesses. However, some employers and industry groups have shared concerns about the difficulty of monitoring the heat threshold of individual workers. If passed, the OSHA measure would be the first major federal government regulation to address heat protection for American workers.
Wearable Heat Stress Monitors Will Help Employers Meet Requirements for Indoor & Outdoor Workplaces
If passed, the new OSHA rule would require employers to monitor and respond to individual heat thresholds in order to help prevent heat stress in the workplace. Fortunately, with the right equipment, monitoring the heat thresholds of individual workers is easier than ever.
Slate Safety Band V2
The Slate Safety Band V2 is a wearable personal heat stress monitor that employers can use to monitor and react to heat threshold data in real-time. The device is worn on the upper arm and includes sensors that constantly measure data such as heart rate, core body temperature, and exertion. If a certain threshold is reached, employers are then alerted so they can take the appropriate action.
It's easy to set the alert threshold to meet the proposed OSHA thresholds of 80 degrees F or 90 degrees F to ensure that when workers are at risk of heat strain, overexertion, or injury, employers are instantly alerted. With this heat stress monitor, employers can view the heat threshold of anyone wearing a device at any time—no matter where they are located.
Monitor worker heat thresholds and address proposed OSHA standards with Slate Safety Band V2 devices.
Buy or Rent the Slate Safety Band V2 at RAECO Rents
At RAECO Rents, we have the latest heat stress monitoring equipment for industry professionals, including the Slate Safety Band V2. Our goal is to provide you with the devices you need to quickly and accurately monitor heat in both indoor and outdoor workplace environments. With the data provided by our personal heat stress monitors, you can take action to monitor individual heat thresholds, protect your employees, meet proposed OSHA requirements, and help prevent heat-related injury.
When you purchase or rent equipment from RAECO Rents, you will receive clean, operable, high-quality instruments. We proudly offer an Instant-On guarantee and after-hour support, and we are determined to make your shopping experience easy every step of the way.
Contact our rental service team today to get help finding high-quality heat stress monitoring equipment.
