Thursday, June 23, 2011

Top labor officials set call with journalists today to discuss heat dangers to outdoor workers

Meteorologists and journalists who cover the weather are invited to participate in a conference call this afternoon about the U.S. Department of Labor’s campaign aimed at educating outdoor workers and their employers about the dangers of extreme heat. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis and Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, will cover the basics, offer tips for protection and encourage news coverage to help spread the word to viewers and listeners everywhere.

Their message is simple: water, rest and shade. "Each year, thousands of outdoor workers experience heat illness, which often manifests as heat exhaustion. If not quickly addressed, heat exhaustion can become heat stroke, which killed more than 30 workers last year," the department said in a news release. The conference call will be held from 1:45 to 2:15 p.m. EDT. the call-in number is 888-324-9652 and the passcode is 8880516.

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