During Heat Wave, OSHA Calls for 'Water. Rest. Shade.'

Words: Dan KamysDuring Heat Wave, OSHA Calls for 'Water. Rest. Shade.'
In June, Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA David Michaels spoke with more than 80 meteorologists and weather broadcasters about OSHA's campaign to Prevent Heat Illness in Outdoor Workers. Secretary Solis, Dr. Michaels, and Acting Deputy Director of the National Weather Service Steven Cooper also discussed the populations most at risk, the importance of acclimatization, and the value of using the buddy system to look out for heat illness warning signs in coworkers.
 
OSHA is posting more than 100 “Water. Rest. Shade.” billboards across four states to educate employers and workers about the hazards of working outdoors in hot weather. The billboards will appear in Arkansas, Florida, Texas and Illinois – the four states with the highest number of occupational heat-related fatalities in 2010. They direct viewers, in both English and Spanish, to visit OSHA's heat illness web page for bilingual educational materials, a downloadable smart phone app, workplace training, and other information on how to prevent heat illness and what to do in an emergency. The billboards, provided by Lamar Outdoor Advertising, will be in place for eight weeks, running from mid-June through August.

OSHA offices around the country are also responding to the summer heat with resources, information and outreach, including radio interviews and new wallet cards. These new cards, which are small enough for workers and employers to carry in their wallets, include some heat illness symptoms to watch out for as well as a QR code that workers and employers can scan with any smartphone to access OSHA's Heat page and online resources. Smartphone users with a camera phone can download a free QR reader from their app store and scan the image to open a web page in their phone's browser. OSHA also encourages iPhone and Android users to download the OSHA Heat App, which just reached the benchmark of over 25,000 downloads. To order any of OSHA's materials in English or Spanish, call OSHA's Office of Communications at 202-693-1999 or visit OSHA's Publications page.

Thank You For Bidding In The 2026 Online Auction
April 2026

The MCAA thanks everyone who bid in this year’s online auction. With hundreds of bids on over 140 items, this year’s auction turned out to be our largest ever! We also want to thank all of our amazing donors who put items up for auction. Without all of

Industry News
Read More
Choosing the Best Masonry Brush for the Job
April 2026

In masonry work, whether you are laying brick or block, installing stone veneer, or repairing mortar joints, cleaning up is a big part of the job. It’s easy to focus on the major tools like brick trowels, mixers, and mortar boards, but brushes are just as

Mackenzie Claassen
Technical Talks
Read More
Westminster Abbey Roof Repairs Race To Protect The Masonry Below
April 2026

Westminster Abbey is undergoing long-awaited repairs to its roof, and experts involved in the work say they have discovered hidden secrets along the way. For the masonry industry, the story is less about what's up top and more about what sits beneath it.

The Daily Digest
Read More
Building Stonework That Lasts Beyond the Surface
April 2026

How Today’s Systems Strengthen Traditional Masonry In masonry, longevity has always been the true measure of craftsmanship. Any wall can look impressive the day it’s finished, but the real test comes years later, after the first freeze-thaw cycle, after t

Rob McKay
MAP Partner
Read More