The Biden administration proposed a new rule Tuesday to address excessive heat in the workplace, as tens of millions of people in the U.S. are under heat advisories due to blistering temperatures. If finalized, the measure would protect an estimated 36 million U.S. workers from injuries related to heat exposure on the job — establishing the first major federal safety standard of its kind. Those affected by excessive heat in the workplace include farmworkers, delivery and construction workers, landscapers and indoor workers in warehouses, factories and kitchens. President Joe Biden planned to highlight the rule on Tuesday when he gets a briefing on extreme weather and delivers remarks.
Quick Read
- The Biden administration proposed a new rule on Tuesday to address excessive heat in the workplace, as tens of millions of people in the U.S. are under heat advisories due to high temperatures.
- If finalized, the rule would protect an estimated 36 million U.S. workers from heat-related injuries, marking the first major federal safety standard of its kind.
- The rule would impact farmworkers, delivery and construction workers, landscapers, and indoor workers in warehouses, factories, and kitchens.
- President Joe Biden plans to highlight the rule during a briefing on extreme weather and remarks scheduled for Tuesday.
- The rule would require employers to identify heat hazards, develop emergency response plans, and provide training on heat illness symptoms. Employers would also need to establish rest breaks, provide shade and water, and ensure heat acclimatization for new workers.
- Penalties for heat-related workplace violations would increase significantly, aligning with other Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules.
- An estimated 2,300 people in the U.S. died from heat-related illnesses in 2023, with workers exposed to extreme heat being particularly vulnerable.
- The Labor Department has been developing this standard since 2021, and OSHA held meetings last year to understand the impact on small businesses.
- Heat protection laws in the U.S. face industry opposition, with business associations citing difficulties in implementing a blanket mandate across diverse industries.
- Only California, Colorado, Oregon, Minnesota, and Washington currently have workplace standards for heat exposure.
- Florida and Texas recently passed legislation preventing local governments from requiring heat protections for outdoor workers.
- If finalized, the federal rule would override state measures, requiring states with existing standards to implement measures at least as stringent as the federal rule.
The Associated Press has the story:
Biden administration proposes rule for workplaces to address excessive heat
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP) —
The Biden administration proposed a new rule Tuesday to address excessive heat in the workplace, as tens of millions of people in the U.S. are under heat advisories due to blistering temperatures. If finalized, the measure would protect an estimated 36 million U.S. workers from injuries related to heat exposure on the job — establishing the first major federal safety standard of its kind. Those affected by excessive heat in the workplace include farmworkers, delivery and construction workers, landscapers and indoor workers in warehouses, factories and kitchens. President Joe Biden planned to highlight the rule on Tuesday when he gets a briefing on extreme weather and delivers remarks.
Despite increased awareness of the risks posed to human health by high temperatures, extreme heat protections — for those routinely exposed to heat index readings above 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius) — have lagged.
Under the proposed rule, employers would be required to identify heat hazards, develop emergency response plans related to heat illness, and provide training to employees and supervisors on the signs and symptoms of such illnesses. They would also have to establish rest breaks, provide shade and water, and heat acclimatization — or the building of tolerance to higher temperatures — for new workers.
Penalties for heat-related violations in workplaces would increase significantly, in line with what workplaces are issued for violations of Occupational Safety and Health Administration rules, a senior White House administration official said.
An estimated 2,300 people in the U.S. died from heat-related illness in 2023. Workers with prolonged exposure to extreme heat are among the most vulnerable to related health risks, such as heatstroke and other illnesses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
As the hottest month of the year gets underway, millions of Americans will be at greater risk of heat strokes, dangerous dehydration and heat-related heart stress.
The Labor Department has been developing a standard for how workplaces deal with heat since 2021, with OSHA having held meetings last year to hear about how the proposed measures could affect small businesses.
Heat protection laws in the U.S. have faced steady industry opposition, including from chambers of commerce and other business associations. Many say a blanket mandate would be difficult to implement across such a wide range of industries.
California, Colorado, Oregon, Minnesota and Washington are the only states with workplace standards for heat exposure. Some regulations have recently come under attack by Republicans. Over the past year, Florida and Texas, led by Gov. Ron DeSantis and Gov. Greg Abbott, both Republicans, passed legislation preventing local governments from requiring heat protections for outdoor workers.
If finalized, the Democratic administration’s rule would override state measures, and states with existing procedures to deal with heat would have to institute measures that are at least as stringent as the finalized federal rule.
