Working Outdoors...Look Out For Hazards!

As we approach summer and with the weather improving, it is important to keep in mind the hazards workers can face when working outdoors. When working outdoors, exposures can include:

• Bites from insects and bugs such as bees, hornets, wasps, ticks and mosquitoes
• Poisonous plants, such as poison ivy, giant hogweed, and wild parsnip
• High temperatures
• Solar radiation

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), employers, owners, constructors, and supervisors are legally required to protect the health and safety of workers, which includes protecting them from insect bites, stings and poisonous plants and heat stress.

Please take a moment and re-establish a commitment to ensure workers are protected against outdoor hazards. We suggest you deliver a safety talk as a reminder to workplace parties of the hazards, and more importantly, re-establish safe practices and procedures.

Additionally, we encourage you to Visit IHSA's Occupational Health page to access many FREE resources on information regarding poisonous plants, insect stings, and heat stress.