WASHINGTON—The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has released a proposed rule intended to reduce heat injuries, illnesses, and deaths. Excessive heat exposure has been identified by OSHA as the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S. The first of its kind rule, if adopted, would be applicable to both indoor and outdoor workplace activities.

“Every worker should come home safe and healthy at the end of the day,” said Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su on July 2. “We are committed to ensuring that those doing difficult work in some of our economy’s most critical sectors are valued and kept safe in the workplace.”

The proposed rule would require employers to develop a Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Plan to control and mitigate the impact of heat hazards in workplaces by excessive heat. The standard would require employers to evaluate heat risks and, when necessary, provide drinking water, rest breaks and control of indoor heat. It also would require plans for workers unaccustomed to working in high heat.

Other requirements detailed in the 1,200-page proposed rule that employers would be required to adopt include:

• Develop and implement site-specific written Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Plans to mitigate the impacts of heat hazards.
• Implement heightened monitoring practices to identify signs and symptoms of heat illness—and when certain temperature thresholds are met—incorporate considerations for postponing non-essential work.
• Implement a heat acclimatization program for new workers, workers newly exposed to hot environments, workers returning after a prolonged absence, and workers who may travel or be transferred to hotter regions.
• Designate at least one Heat-Safety Coordinator to oversee implementation and compliance with plans, policies, and procedures.
• Provide break areas with sufficient artificial or natural shade, or when feasible, air-conditioned environments.
• Provide employee and supervisor training targeted toward identify and implement procedures for responding to an employee experiencing signs of a heat-related emergency.
• Maintain detailed records of all heat-related illnesses and injuries, regardless of severity, as they occur.
• Provide mandatory paid 15-minute rest breaks, excluding meal breaks, at least every two hours when temperatures reach/exceed 90°F.
• Implement administrative controls that allow for the modification of work schedules and practices to minimize heat exposure, including rescheduling heavy work during cooler parts of the day.
• Develop heat-related emergency response plans to ensure medical services are readily available.

Until such time that the rule is finalized, OSHA has committed to utilizing its administrative authority under the Agency’s General Duty Clause to heighten heat-related outreach and enforcement efforts. This initiative is consistent with the process detailed in OSHA’s National Emphasis Program.

OSHA has encouraged the industry to submit written comments on the proposed rule. The agency also anticipates hosting at least one public hearing on the proposed rule.

The Fact Sheet developed by OSHA detailing the proposed rule can be viewed below or go to: https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/heat-rulemaking-factsheet.pdf.