First published in the Federal Register in August 2024, the informal public hearing on OSHA’s Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings proposed rule concluded on July 2, 2025. the post-hearing comment period, which has been extended to October 30, 2025.
We first wrote about this in the fall of 2024 (Proposed OSHA Standard) and posted a few blogs about preventing heat related emergencies. Here are 2 blogs with resources and information (Resources for Preventing Heat Related Emergencies and Tools and Resources for Heat Related Emergencies). While the heat wave has ended for 2025 in the eastern USA, now is a good time to develop a prevention policy and consider training your volunteer emergency medical team.
The new rule requires employers to create a plan to evaluate and control heat hazards, including providing water and cool-down areas, implementing acclimatization protocols, and ensuring proper breaks.
Here are a few quick tips to emphasize as part of your safety program:
- Remind employees to stay hydrated, drinking more water at this time of year.
- Provide ice and plenty of water when outside work and other activities are performed.
- Educate employees on recognizing the above symptoms and what to do.
- Train employees in first aid, CPR, and taking vital signs.
- Identify and address work environments conducive to heat related incidents. Simple solutions often provide relief.
OSHA has a page with several information links to prevent heat related illness.
Photo by Rizky Nuriman on Unsplash