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Summer is fast approaching, and so is severe weather. It's time to prepare your facility (and workers) for heat-related illnesses, lightning, and hurricanes. 

Here are some key dates to keep in mind as you plan for upcoming safety briefings:

• April 30-May 6 is National Hurricane Preparedness Week
• May 15 and June 1 mark the beginning of the Pacific and Atlantic hurricane seasons, respectively
• June 18-24 is National Lightning Safety Awareness Week

Here are some resources to help you prepare and communicate about summer weather safety with your workers.

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Talk to your workers about the risk of heat-related illness

Workers in maritime environments are exceptionally prone to heat stress due to their extended exposure to the sun, use of heat-producing equipment, or use of certain PPE. Make sure they know the signs and how to reduce their risk of exposure. Read more.

Tips for lightning safety awareness

Do your employees know the dos and don’ts of lightning safety? Here’s a handy visual aid that can help you discuss the lightning hazards during summer storms. Download it here.

Prepare your facility for hurricane season

Hurricanes are an inevitable challenge for waterfront employers, whether dealing with storm prep, evacuations, production delays, or post-storm damage and clean-up. Are you (and your employees) prepared? Read more.

Check your risk level with the OSHA-NIOSH heat safety mobile app

This app allows workers and supervisors to calculate the heat index for their worksite and displays a risk level to outdoor workers. Click here to download the app on Apple or Android devices.

The content below requires access to AEU's member-exclusive online portals. Click here to register.

Safety Bulletins

• Heat Stress (English | Spanish)
• Occupational Heat Stress (English)
• Lightning Safety (English | Spanish)
• Severe Weather Safety (English | Spanish)

Toolbox Talks

• Symptoms of Heat Stress Disorders (English | Spanish)

Videos

• 5 Critical Steps to Prepare Your Workplace for Hurricane Season (3 min)
• Tornado Safety (Weather Nation) (2 min)
• Severe Thunderstorm Safety (Weather Nation) (2 min)
• Lightning Safety (Weather Nation) (2 min)
• Remembering Tim: A Life Lost to Heat Illness at Work (8 min)

The content below requires access to AEU's member-exclusive online portals. Click here to register.

• OSHA Hurricane Preparedness Resources
• OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Resources
• OSHA Heat Exposure Resources
• OSHA Guidance Document: Heat Stress
• Fact Sheet: Working Outdoors in Warm Climates 
• Fact Sheet: Prevent Heat Illness at Work
• Fact Sheet: Protecting Workers from the Effects of Heat
• Fact Sheet: Lightning Safety When Working Outdoors