Special to IFN

RALEIGH — With summer temperatures rising, Labor Commissioner Luke Farley and the N.C. Department of Labor (NCDOL) are reminding employers and workers alike to take simple, effective steps to prevent heat-related illnesses on the job.

“Heat illness is preventable,” Farley said. “Whether you’re in the field, on a construction site, or working outdoors in any capacity, the keys to staying safe are simple: rest, water, and shade. Safety is a shared responsibility, and by working together, we can make sure everyone goes home safe and healthy at the end of the day.”

The Department of Labor’s “Beat the Heat” campaign is a renewed push to prevent heat illness – offering practical tools and best practices designed to help both employers and employees end heat stress and heat-related injuries. These include:

♦ A heat safety calculator;
♦ A real-time heat index app;
♦ Hazard alerts and training videos; and
♦ Agriculture-specific safety resources, including podcasts and sample safety programs

These resources are available on NCDOL’s Heat Injury and Illness Prevention page.

Workers and employers are encouraged to carry a free wallet-sized card provided by NCDOL that includes a QR code for quick mobile access to heat safety resources.

“This isn’t about new regulations,” Farley said. “It’s about common-sense steps and working together to protect the people who provide for their families and power our economy.”