Region 4 News Release: 11-1097-ATL (372)
Aug. 1, 2011
Contact: Michael D'Aquino Michael Wald
Phone: 404-562-2076 404-562-2078
Email: d'aquino.michael@dol.gov wald.michael@dol.gov

US Department of Labor's OSHA to sponsor heat illness prevention training
for construction workers during Georgia safety 'stand-down' on Aug. 3

ATLANTA – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration will join Georgia employers on Aug. 3 from 7-8 a.m. EDT to educate construction workers on job sites throughout the state about the dangers related to working in the heat.

The past few summers have demonstrated the challenges that hot outdoor conditions can present to workers in the construction industry. Heat-related illnesses can be a life or death issue for many workers. Even when workers do not die immediately from heat stoke, it can shut down major body organs causing acute heart, liver, kidney and muscle damage, as well as other problems. Workers suffering from heat exhaustion also are at a greater risk for accidents, since they are less alert. The primary focus of the "stand-down" is to educate workers about the symptoms of heat-related illnesses and the preventative steps to take during hot weather.

"Workers die from heat-related stroke or illness every year, and every one of these deaths is preventable," said Cindy Coe, OSHA's regional administrator in Atlanta. "We are glad that the construction industry recognizes the importance of this issue and is supporting OSHA's heat illness prevention campaign."

The safety stand-down is a cooperative effort sponsored by the OSHA Atlanta-East Area Office; the Georgia Branch of the Associated General Contractors' Safety and Health Committee; and the Georgia Branch-AGC workers' compensation program, CompTrust AGC Mutual Captive Insurance Co., which is administered by Affinity Service Group.

Members of the public interested in more information about OSHA's heat illness prevention campaign or this event should contact William Fulcher, director of OSHA's Atlanta-East office, LaVista Perimeter Office Park, 2183 Northlake Parkway, Building 7, Suite 110, Tucker, Ga. 30084; telephone 770-493-6644. Members of the press with questions should contact Michael D'Aquino or Michael Wald in the Labor Department's Office of Public Affairs using the information above.

To register for the event, visit http://s.dol.gov/HG.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

Editor's note: A list of participants accompanies this news release.

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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.