It Is Going to be a Hot One!

By Brian J. Riker

As Memorial Day passes and we transition into the summer months, both literally and figuratively, towers need to be prepared for above average temperatures across most of the United States. The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center has released their summer 2025 outlook and it shows the probability of above average temperatures is likely, with much of the nation at 60-70% probability for above average temperatures. There are also above average chances of extra rainfall, especially in the eastern United States which means the chances of some serious storms is increased.

Towers, and all employers, have a duty to protect their workers from environmental exposure, including heat related illnesses. This is so important to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that an employer’s heat illness prevention plan is literally the first document they will typically ask for during an investigation, even when heat illness is not likely to be a contributory factor.

An informal public hearing on OSHA’s Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings proposed rule is scheduled to be held virtually and begin on June 16, 2025. On August 30, 2024, OSHA published in the Federal Register a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings.

The proposed standard would apply to all employers conducting outdoor and indoor work in all general industry, construction, maritime, and agriculture sectors where OSHA has jurisdiction. The standard would require employers to create a plan to evaluate and control heat hazards in their workplace. It would clarify employer obligations and the steps necessary to effectively protect employees from hazardous heat. The ultimate goal is to prevent and reduce the number of occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities caused by exposure to hazardous heat.

Even absent such a requirement, employers that have workers exposed to extreme climates need to provide protection and training on recognizing such hazards. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are very real possibilities. These conditions occur when the body loses the ability to regulate its internal temperature and can happen even in relatively mild conditions, with a heat index of just 91⁰F, or lower, if you are in new area and not yet adjusted to the climate -such as when vacationing.

Now is also a great time to assess the health of your truck. Pay particular attention to the tires, as the temperature difference will cause inflation to change and require adjustment. Inspect the cooling system, giving the radiator fins a good spring cleaning and make sure you have extra water onboard. Not just water for the cooling system, but also drinking water to keep yourself, and your customers, hydrated. A broke down truck is not only embarrassing, it can be downright dangerous if it happens along a dangerous route or exposes you, or your customers, to elevated heat risks.

Summer means longer days, warmer weather and perhaps some well deserved recreation. With this change in the seasons we must not lose focus on safety, ours as well as that of the general public. Enjoy some time off, but please stay safe since tragedy doesn’t stop just because you are on vacation.