OSHA Proposes Rule on Heat

(July, 2024) On July 2, 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 employers to develop programs and implement controls to protect employees from heat hazards in both outdoor and indoor work environments.

Some specific requirements 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.

Read more about the proposed ruling here.