New York State Insurance Fund to Provide Financing for Small Businesses to Purchase Heat-Related PPE

It is unclear when or if OSHA’s new heat rule will come into effect as planned. However, savvy business owners know that, regardless of the law, it is a wise business decision to protect workers from the risks associated with excessive heat.

Incidents related to extreme heat can pose several operational risks to organizations, including lost work time, increased insurance premiums, and hospitalizations.

The new OSHA standard, if implemented, would require employers to develop a plan to assess and manage heat hazards in their workplace.

Recognizing the dangers of excessive heat is crucial because numerous people die from heat-related illnesses each year. Anyone working in an environment without adequate temperature control measures is at risk of exposure. Especially vulnerable are individuals who work in industries such as construction or in facilities that utilize excessive heat as part of their processes. Certain machinery and equipment can also elevate excessive heat hazards.

Although the new standard has yet to be passed, with summer heat showing no signs of slowing down, employers should be proactive and provide employees with the necessary PPE to combat the heat.

Can You Get Help Financing the Necessary PPE?

Fortunately, if you are in New York and operate a small business, there may be help. In a press release, the New York State Insurance Fund (NYSIF) described its plan to provide assistance to “small businesses — up to 10 employees — in manufacturing, warehousing, carpentry, landscaping, and farming; industries where workers are often exposed to extreme temperatures. These businesses can receive a one-time credit of $1,000 or 10 percent of their annual workers’ compensation premium, whichever is less, toward the purchase of PPE designed to protect workers from the effects of extreme heat.”

Various types of PPE are eligible for inclusion in this program. Organizations wishing to apply for the credit must have an active account with NYSIF, have fewer than 10 employees, and operate in one of the following industries: manufacturing, warehousing, carpentry, landscaping, or farming. See NYSIF’s website for more information.

To learn more about how you can protect employees from the dangers of excessive heat, along with other risks, contact Walden’s EHS team by calling 860-846-4069.