{"id":42677,"date":"2017-12-08T13:44:27","date_gmt":"2017-12-08T18:44:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smart-union.org\/?p=42677"},"modified":"2017-12-08T13:44:27","modified_gmt":"2017-12-08T18:44:27","slug":"osha-working-in-the-cold-and-preparing-for-winter-weather","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smart-union.org\/osha-working-in-the-cold-and-preparing-for-winter-weather\/","title":{"rendered":"OSHA: Working in the cold and preparing for winter weather","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Winter weather presents hazards including slippery roads\/surfaces, strong winds and environmental cold. Employers must prevent illnesses, injuries or fatalities, by controlling these hazards in workplaces impacted by winter weather.
\nOSHA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA<\/a>) are working together on a public education effort aimed at improving the way people prepare for and respond to\u00a0severe weather<\/a>. Here is some information provided by OSHA to help businesses and their workers prepare for winter weather, and to provide information about hazards that workers may face during and after winter storms.<\/p>\n


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Winter preparedness<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Outdoor work requires proper preparation, especially in severe winter weather conditions. Although OSHA does not have a specific standard that covers working in cold environments, employers have a responsibility to provide workers with employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards, including winter weather related hazards, which are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to them (Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970<\/a>). Employers should, therefore, train workers on the hazards of the job and safety measures to use, such as engineering controls and safe work practices, that will protect workers’ safety and health.<\/p>\n

Employers should train workers<\/strong><\/h2>\n

At a minimum, employers should train workers on:<\/p>\n