OSHA releases proposed Heat Injury and Illness Prevention rule
On July 2, 2024, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released the proposed Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings standard. This proposed rule aims to establish the first federal standard to protect workers from heat-related hazards in both indoor and outdoor environments. The proposed rule will apply to nearly all employers under OSHA’s jurisdiction and is expected to be published in the Federal Register soon.
The proposed standard requires employers to develop a comprehensive Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Plan (HIIPP). This plan must include site-specific information to identify, monitor, and control heat hazards, as well as a heat emergency response plan. Key components of the proposed rule include the implementation of specific measures when temperatures reach defined heat triggers: an Initial Heat Trigger at a heat index of 80°F and a High Heat Trigger at 90°F. When the Initial Heat Trigger is met, employers must provide employees with cool drinking water, paid rest breaks in shaded or cooled areas, and implement acclimatization protocols for new and returning workers. Additional measures are required when the High Heat Trigger is met, such as mandatory 15-minute paid rest breaks every two hours and a system for monitoring employees for heat-related symptoms.
Employers must also include several elements in their HIIPP, such as identifying a heat safety coordinator, listing work activities covered, and outlining procedures for obtaining employee input. The plan must be in writing for employers with more than ten employees and include emergency response procedures and training requirements. Employees, supervisors, and designated heat safety coordinators must receive initial and annual training, with supplemental training provided as needed. Employers must maintain indoor temperature monitoring data for at least six months. Public comments on the proposed rule will be accepted for 120 days following its publication in the Federal Register, and interested parties can submit their feedback electronically.
Additional Resources:
- Proposed Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings rule text
- OSHA Rulemaking - Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings
- FACT SHEET: President Biden Announces New Actions to Protect Workers and Communities from Extreme Weather
- Heat Illness Prevention - OSHA Website
- OSHA Publication - Extreme Heat Can Be Deadly to Workers