Magazine

FM College ~ News & Articles

OSHA Rule Proposed to Protect Workers from Extreme Heat

Jul 10, 2024 | Public | 0 comments

Construction worker in extreme heat

As summer temperatures continue to rise, regulations proposed to include mandatory water breaks.   July 11, 2024

With summers getting warmer year after year, the stress on outdoors and indoor workers continues to rise with the temperatures.

Considering the extreme temperatures, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is proposing a rule to protect workers from extreme heat.

According to a Department of Labor press release, heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S. The proposed rule would require employers to develop injury and illness prevention plans to control heat hazards in workplaces affected by excessive heat. The rule is expected to cover 35 million workers.

Under the plan, employers would be required to evaluate heat risks and implement requirements for drinking water, rest breaks and control of indoor heat and require plans to protect new or returning workers unaccustomed to working in high heat conditions.

Among the suggested precautions is a proposal that requires 15-minute paid breaks for all employees when heat and humidity reach 90 degrees.

According to the Bureau of Labor, 479 U.S. workers died from exposure to environmental heat from 2011-2022. During that same time, almost 34,000 estimated work-related heat injuries and illnesses resulted in days away from work.

If approved, the regulation would not be final until at least 2026.

By Dave Lubach, Executive Editor

Dave Lubach is executive editor of the facilities market.  

Next


Read next on FacilitiesNet

The post "OSHA Rule Proposed to Protect Workers from Extreme Heat" appeared first on FN Prime Maintenance & Operations

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Are Scents a True Indicator of Cleanliness?

Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect...

The Impact of Lighting on Aesthetics and Atmosphere in Healthcare

Lighting manufacturers discuss how lighting affects the look and feel of healthcare facilities. While not usually talked...

IFMA publishes accessible guide for leveraging AI

The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) released a publication for understanding and leveraging AI in the...

Hidden dangers

Conor Logan, Technical Director, Colt International on the hidden dangers of neglecting smoke control system maintenance In...

How to Improve Facility Operations with Visual Management Strategies

Visual management enables businesses to communicate important information about processes and procedures. Where...