Nevada SCATS Receives National Recognition for Heat Illness Prevention Initiative
Nevada’s Safety Consultation and Training Section (SCATS) and the Nevada On-Site Consultation Program have received the On-Site Consultation Achievement Recognition Award (OSCAR) in recognition of the program’s innovative and comprehensive approach to preventing workplace heat illness.
The award was presented September 22 at the annual OSHCON Conference, recognizing SCATS’ development of a statewide heat stress initiative that became a primary resource for Nevada employers preparing for and implementing the state’s new Heat Illness Prevention Regulation.
Nevada adopted its Heat Illness Prevention Regulation in 2024. Nevada OSHA subsequently issued guidance to help employers understand and implement the new requirements, with enforcement beginning April 29, 2025.
Rather than limiting its response to traditional consultation visits or regulatory outreach, SCATS developed a coordinated employer-readiness strategy that combined standardized compliance tools, specialized training, field consultation and partnerships with industry and public-sector organizations.
A centerpiece of the initiative was the SCATS Heat Stress Checklist, a standardized tool developed to provide a consistent framework for evaluating heat hazards and discussing prevention and compliance measures. The checklist was adopted for use by both SCATS and Nevada OSHA, helping align consultation and enforcement approaches across the state.
SCATS also delivered 23 specialized heat illness prevention training classes to 1,197 participants statewide. Training was offered through multiple formats, including:
- 10 three-hour in-person classes;
- Six virtual statewide courses;
- Two condensed, employer-specific sessions;
- Six one-hour presentations; and
- Three internal trainings for 220 state employees.
The program also incorporated heat illness prevention directly into SCATS consultation activities. Consultants worked with employers to evaluate practical measures including acclimatization, hydration, access to shade or cooling, work-rest schedules, recognition of heat illness symptoms, engineering and administrative controls, emergency response procedures and written heat illness prevention programs.
In total, SCATS addressed heat-related hazards during 613 consultation visits across high-risk industries and workplaces.
“Protecting Nevada’s workers requires more than simply establishing regulations. It requires making sure employers have the knowledge, tools and practical resources to put those requirements into action,” said Division of Industrial Relations Administrator Adam Teti. “This recognition reflects the work of SCATS to bridge the gap between regulation and implementation and to help Nevada employers create safer workplaces. Their approach demonstrates how consultation, education and collaboration can produce meaningful improvements in worker safety.”
The initiative focused particularly on industries and operations where workers face elevated heat exposure, including construction, general industry, local government, utilities and other outdoor or high-heat work environments. SCATS also worked to ensure that employers of different sizes and in communities throughout Nevada—including rural areas—could access training and consultation resources.
Strategic partnerships expanded the program’s reach. SCATS collaborated with organizations including the Nevada Contractors Association, Nevada Self-Insurers Association, American Society of Safety Professionals, municipal employers, chambers of commerce and other Division of Industrial Relations programs to deliver heat illness prevention information to employers and safety professionals through established industry and community networks.
The program has continued beyond its initial implementation period. SCATS continues to receive requests for heat illness prevention training and consultation, including from rural communities such as Fernley, Elko and Wendover.
“SCATS took a new regulatory requirement and built a practical, statewide system to help employers understand what it means and, more importantly, how to protect their workers,” said Todd Schultz, Chief Administrative Officer of SCATS. “The success of this effort was made possible by the commitment of our consultants, trainers and partners who worked directly with employers across Nevada. This award recognizes their work and the lasting value of the program.”
About the Safety Consultation and Training Section
Nevada SCATS provides free, confidential safety and health consultation and training services to help Nevada employers identify and control workplace hazards and improve their safety and health programs. SCATS operates within the Nevada Division of Industrial Relations, a division of the Department of Business and Industry. For more information about SCATS no-cost consultation and training services, visit https://www.4safenv.state.nv.us.
About the Division of Industrial Relations
The Nevada Division of Industrial Relations (DIR), an agency of the Department of Business and Industry is the state’s principal regulatory agency for workplace safety and worker protection. DIR consists of five sections: Nevada OSHA, Workers’ Compensation Section, Mechanical Compliance Section, Mine Safety and Training Section, and the Safety Consultation and Training Section (SCATS). These programs work together to protect Nevada’s workforce through education, enforcement, and support. For more information, visit www.dir.nv.gov.
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