OSHA Proposes Rule for Heat-Specific Workplace Standard

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Heat Injury and Illness Prevention. This move would create the first-ever federal safety standard addressing excessive heat in the workplace.

On July 2, 2024, OSHA and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), titled, “Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings.” This proposed rule, if enacted, would require both private- and public-sector employers to develop programs and implement controls to protect employees from heat hazards in both outdoor and indoor work environments. This rule would establish requirements for identifying heat hazards, developing heat illness and emergency response plans, providing training to employees and supervisors, and implementing work practice standards – including rest breaks, access to shade and water, control of indoor heat, and heat acclimatization for new or returning employees unaccustomed to working in high-heat conditions. If finalized, this rule would affect approximately 36 million workers.

Some specific requirements in this rule include:

• setting an “initial heat trigger” at a heat index of 80°F, at which employers must provide drinking water and break areas; setting a “high heat trigger” at 90°F, requiring employers to monitor for signs of heat illness and provide mandatory fifteen-minute breaks every two hours.
• developing and implementing a specific Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Plan (HIIPP).
• designating a heat safety coordinator to “implement and monitor” the HIIPP.
• evaluating the heat safety plans on an annual basis.

OSHA will accept comments on the proposed rule for 120 days following its formal publication in the Federal Register. TRSA is currently drafting comments to submit on behalf of our industry, as well as coordinating with other industry stakeholders and coalitions.