Free Farm-Safety Tips: Helping Farm Employees Beat the Heat

Summer is a busy time for farm operations and their employees. As the days get longer and hotter, it’s important to keep your farm family safe.

Every year, dozens of workers die and thousands more become ill while working in hot outdoor environments. That’s why every summer OSHA launches a Heat-Illness Awareness Campaign.

To prevent heat-related illness and death, your Farm-Safety program should ensure that workers:

• Are allowed water breaks every 15 minutes
• Rest in the shade or air conditioning to cool down
• Wear a hat and light-colored clothing
• Know heat-illness signs and symptoms
• Report symptoms early, and watch out for coworkers
• Know what to do in an emergency
• Gradually build up their heat tolerance using an acclimatization process

Remember—water, rest and shade make up a good rule of thumb to keep workers safe and healthy this summer!