ASSP looks to fill regulatory gap in U.S. with science and practices that can be applied in Canada
The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) recently unveiled the first national voluntary consensus standard specifically designed to combat heat stress in construction and demolition operations.
This pioneering standard, ANSI/ASSP A10.50-2024, addresses a critical gap in worker safety regulations, providing a comprehensive guide for employers to safeguard their workforce against the dangers of heat exposure.
As heat-related hazards continue to pose a significant threat to workers, particularly in physically demanding industries, the implementation of this standard could not be timelier. John Johnson, chairman of the ANSI/ASSP A10 committee, says the standard has universal relevance. "This represents some of the best practices within the construction and demolition industry and borders really have no impact here. If it works in the United States, it'll work in other parts of the world just as easily."
The standard outlines a series of best practices, including engineering and administrative controls, to ensure workers receive appropriate rest, water breaks, and access to shade, thereby significantly reducing the risks associated with heat exposure.
Johnson espouses the adaptability of the standard beyond the American workforce, noting, "we sell standards in over 170 different countries...they are valuable and there are no borders to our standards." This global applicability signals a potential paradigm shift in how Canadian construction firms approach heat stress management, offering a robust framework to protect their employees effectively.
The necessity of such a standard stems from the alarming statistics surrounding heat-related illnesses and fatalities in the construction sector. With more than 400 work-related deaths attributed to environmental heat exposure since 2011 in the U.S. alone, the urgency for comprehensive guidelines is clear. The A10.50 standard not only fills this critical void but also introduces a detailed emergency response plan to manage severe heat-related reactions, ensuring that companies are fully equipped to handle potential crises.
Health and safety leaders within the Canadian construction industry stand to gain invaluable insights from the A10.50 standard. “There's a lot of science behind how you protect employees...but the formation of how you control and protect people is very, very simple," explains Johnson. By adopting the standard's recommendations, companies can implement preventative measures such as temperature checks and hydration protocols to safeguard against heat illness effectively.
As Canadian firms look to enhance their health and safety protocols, the A10.50 standard offers a comprehensive and adaptable solution to the pervasive issue of heat stress. Johnson's enthusiasm for expanding awareness about this critical topic underscores the standard's potential impact, "anytime we can expand on a topic this important or raise awareness about the ANSI/ASSP A10 committee and what we produce, we love those opportunities."
As we approach National Heat Awareness Day on May 31 and Extreme Heat Awareness Month in July, the introduction of the ANSI/ASSP A10.50-2024 standard represents a significant step forward in the ongoing effort to protect workers from the dangers of heat exposure.
With its global applicability and focus on best practices, the standard provides a valuable resource for health and safety professionals in Canada and beyond, promising a safer and more sustainable future for workers in the construction and demolition sectors.
