The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States has released a draft of its proposed rule aimed at preventing heat-related injuries and illnesses in both outdoor and indoor work environments. This proposed rule, “Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings,” is now available for public viewing.
Excessive workplace heat is a leading cause of weather-related fatalities in the United States. From 2011 to 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded 479 worker deaths due to environmental heat, averaging 40 fatalities per year. During the same period, there were approximately 33,890 work-related heat injuries and illnesses resulting in time away from work. OSHA notes that these figures likely underestimate the true impact of occupational heat exposure.
The proposed rule targets all employers within the general industry, construction, maritime, and agriculture sectors under OSHA’s jurisdiction. It mandates that employers develop and implement a heat hazard evaluation and control plan. The goal is to clarify employer responsibilities and outline the steps needed to protect workers from hazardous heat effectively.
“Heat is a serious workplace hazard,” stated an OSHA representative. “By establishing this standard, we aim to prevent and reduce heat-related injuries, illnesses, and fatalities among workers.”
Some workers face a higher risk of heat-related health issues, such as pregnant employees and workers of colour in essential jobs, who are more likely to be exposed to hazardous heat levels. Additionally, workplaces with heat-generating processes or machinery, like hot tar ovens and furnaces, are significant sources of heat hazards without adequate cooling measures.
OSHA is encouraging public participation in the rulemaking process by inviting comments once the proposed standard is officially published in the Federal Register. “Your input will help us develop a final rule that adequately protects workers, is feasible for employers, and is based on the best available evidence,” the agency emphasized.
For further details on providing comments and participating in the rulemaking process, interested parties are directed to visit OSHA’s official website at https://www.osha.gov/heat-exposure/rulemaking