OSHA’s proposed heat protection regulations are now available for public comment – ​​Occupational Health and Safety

OSHA’s proposed heat protection regulations are now available for public comment

The proposed rules will impact 36 million indoor and outdoor workers.

• By Robert Yaniz Jr.
• Sep 4, 2024

The U.S. Department of Labor has officially opened the public comment period on a proposed OSHA rule that would protect workers from the hazards of extreme heat.

Initially announced in July 2024, the regulation aims to implement protections for an estimated 36 million indoor and outdoor workers at risk of heat exhaustion, heat stroke and extreme heat-related deaths. If finalized, the rule could significantly reduce the number of heat-related injuries, illnesses and deaths in American workplaces.

According to the Federal Register, “the standard would apply to all employers performing outdoor and indoor work in all sectors of general industry, construction, marine, and agriculture… It would be a programmatic standard that would require employers to establish a plan to assess and control heat hazards in the workplace. It would more clearly define employers’ responsibilities and the measures necessary to effectively protect employees from hazardous heat.”

Following the publication of the proposed Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings, OSHA encouraged broad public participation in the rulemaking process. The organization emphasizes the critical role that feedback from workers, employers, and other stakeholders plays in developing a final rule that effectively protects workers while remaining feasible for businesses to implement.

Individuals and organizations interested in submitting comments may do so by citing case number OSHA-2021-0009. Detailed instructions for submitting comments are available in the Federal Register notice. OSHA also plans to hold a public hearing after the written comment period ends at a later date.