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Archive for August 20th, 2011

Work spaces come in different sizes, shapes, and styles and essentially don’t have to be in an office. I assume myself as a Cubicle Chick and I work at home. Others cubicle may involve their truck or vehicle that they work from. It may also include workers engaged at outdoors in construction, or other occupations for which they need to stay outside. Because of the severe hot atmosphere this year, Hilda L. Solis, Secretary of Labor, brought a mobile app earlier this week to help get the OSHA signs when it may be risky to work outside. She said, ‘‘summer heat presents a serious issue that affects some of the most vulnerable workers in our country, and education is crucial to keeping them safe. Heat-related illnesses are preventable.  This new app is just one way the Labor Department is getting that message out.’’

According to a press release by the U.S. Department of Labor, a free mobile application has been released to prevent heat-related illnesses enabling workers and supervisors to monitor the heat index at their work sites.The app uses the information acknowledged from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and considers with the workers mobile position to determine whether the worker is at risk or not of evolving heat related harms and sicknesses and shows OSHA signs based on that.

“According to the danger level of the heat index, the app offers its users with information about protections they need to take like drinking fluids, taking rest breaks and altering work operations. Workers also can review the signs and indications of heat stroke, heat fatigue and other heat-related sicknesses, and learn about first aid steps to take in case of any emergency. Information for administrators is also available through the app on how to increasingly build up the load for new workers as well as how to train workers on heat illness signs and symptoms. Moreover, workers can communicate with OSHA directly through the app”.

The mobile app can easily be downloaded from http://go.usa.gov/KFE. Though, currently is applicable for only Android phones, another version for both iPhone and Blackberry touch pad phones are currently in progress and will be released soon according to the press release.

Information for employers about using the heat index to analyze and report risks posed to workers also is accessible through OSHA’s new Web-based tool “Using the Heat Index: Employer Guidance,” at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/heat_index/index.html. OSHA’s other instructive and teaching tools for preventing heat illnesses are available in both English and Spanish languages accessible at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/index.html.

You are going to love how the Dept. of Labor is approving mobile apps in order to support outside working employees! This is another example how mobile apps and technology is making easy everyday people lives. If you have to work outdoors or know someone who does, please download the app for yourself and others and also convey the message to others!

Information listed in this blog post was derived from a press release received by The Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor. I have downloaded the application on my Android device, but make no claims or guarantees about the application or its use.