On August 30th, OSHA proposed a new standard, titled Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings. The standard would apply to all employers conducting outdoor and indoor work in all general industry, construction, maritime, and agriculture sectors where OSHA has jurisdiction, with some exceptions.
Heat stress is a medical emergency! OSHA has been focusing on the potential risks of working in hot environments. In our July newsletter we mentioned the OSHA Beat the Heat contest and posted a blog about Resources for Preventing Heat Related Emergencies. This topic is a great collaboration opportunity for safety professionals, occupational health nurses, and wellness specialists to develop prevention initiatives.
What is proposed is a programmatic standard that would require employers to create a plan to evaluate and control heat hazards specific to their workplace and the type of work conducted. The intent is to clarify measures to effectively protect employees from hazardous heat.
Currently, OSHA is requesting comments on the proposed rule. Comments and other information must be submitted by December 30, 2024.
Written comments and attachments can be submitted, identified by, electronically at https://www.regulations.gov, which is the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal, Docket No. OSHA-2021-0009. Follow the instructions online for making electronic submissions.
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