The Biden administration says it will propose new rules today to protect workers from the deadliest weather-related risk Americans face: extreme heat. The Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) expects to publish new heat protection measures in the federal register today, Biden administration officials said at a press conference yesterday.
These rules are intended to prevent heat-related illness and death at work. Heat kills far more people in the United States than hurricanes, floods, tornadoes or any other weather-related disaster. Global warming will only make the problem worse, leading to longer, more frequent, and more intense heat waves. The proposed rule aims to enable workplace protections to catch up with this reality.
Heat kills far more people in the U.S. than hurricanes, floods, tornadoes or any other weather-related disaster
Under the new regulations, employers are required to have plans in place to prevent heat injury and illness. This includes designating a heat safety coordinator and developing appropriate procedures to deal with heat illness symptoms such as muscle cramps, nausea and fainting.
They must also monitor the workplace for potentially hazardous conditions. A heat index of 80 degrees Fahrenheit, which takes into account both heat and humidity, will trigger a host of requirements to ensure worker safety. For example, employees working in high temperatures need access to drinking water and rest areas where they can cool down. Heat indexes of 90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher trigger additional requirements, including 15-minute paid breaks every few hours on the job. Biden administration officials said on the call that the breaks could help people adjust to the hot weather.
The rule is expected to cover about 35 million workers who are regularly exposed to heat risks, including those in construction, agriculture and other outdoor jobs. It does not include remote workers or those working indoors with air conditioners that consistently maintain temperatures below the heat index threshold specified in the rule. It also does not include state and local public employees not covered by OSHA or certain emergency responders.
The proposal has been in the works for several years—the Biden administration announced it would launch the rulemaking process in September 2021. said in a statement.
