Following on its announcement in late September that it would enhance measures to protect workers from exposure to extreme heat, OSHA will publish an advance notice of proposed rulemaking for heat injury and illness prevention in outdoor and indoor work settings on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021.

This action will initiate a comment period to gather diverse perspectives and expertise on topics, such as heat-stress thresholds, heat-acclimatization planning and exposure monitoring. According to the agency, heat is the leading cause of death among all weather-related workplace hazards.

As part of its efforts in this area, OSHA is implementing an enforcement initiative on heat-related hazards; developing a national emphasis program on heat inspections; and forming a working group within its National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health to identify and share best practices.

“While heat illness is largely preventable and commonly underreported, thousands of workers are sickened each year by workplace heat exposure, and in some cases, heat exposure can be fatal,” says Jim Frederick, Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health.

Read the Federal Register notice for details on how to submit comments beginning Oct. 27. All comments are due by Dec. 27, 2021.