Just a few months before the 2024 U.S. presidential election, the Biden administration is moving quickly to finalize a regulation that could protect 36 million workers from the harmful effects of extreme heat exposure. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently released the draft of a proposed rule aimed at preventing heat injury and illness among U.S. workers. This groundbreaking rule would be the nation’s first federal regulation on heat stress in the workplace.
The draft rule outlines common-sense requirements to reduce worker-related deaths, injuries, and illnesses due to excessive heat exposure. Employers would be mandated to implement heat injury prevention plans, provide access to drinking water, shade, and rest areas, and ensure breaks when the heat index reaches 80°F. Acclimatization plans for new employees, training on identifying heat illness, and additional breaks when the heat index exceeds 90°F are also part of the proposed rule.
Advocates have praised the Biden administration for taking steps to protect workers’ lives, especially as states like Texas and Florida have failed to implement heat protections. The proposed rule is currently open for public comment and will undergo a final review by the White House. Despite potential legal challenges, experts believe the administration is prioritizing the regulation, aiming for timely finalization to ensure worker safety.
All workers deserve safety and protections from extreme weather conditions. The federal government’s efforts to require basic protections for workers are a step in the right direction.
