"Excessive heat in the workplace can cause a number of adverse health effects, including heat stroke and even death, if not treated properly. Yet, there is currently no federal OSHA standard that regulates heat stress hazards in the workplace."
The proposed rule, which has not yet been officially published in the Federal Register, would require covered employers to identify heat hazards; develop heat illness and emergency response plans; provide training to employees and supervisors; and implement a range of work practices — including rest breaks, access to shade and water, and heat acclimatization for new employees.
“ASSP is a strong advocate of OSHA’s efforts to safeguard workers who face high heat and humidity hazards. We know there are significant benefits to having work practice standards that help employers manage heat-related risks," says ASSP President Pam Walaski, CSP, FASSP. "Standards are an effective way to implement controls that save workers’ lives."
OSHA has published a factsheet on the proposed rule and encourages the public to submit comments for the record once the proposal is officially published. It may also hold stakeholder meetings based on the feedback received.
ASSP's Voluntary Consensus Standard on Heat Stress
"We hope the proposed OSHA rule aligns with the industry best practices we have established to help prevent the thousands of heat-related injuries and illnesses on job sites every year," Walaski says.
Podcast Episode Addresses Beating the Heat
Tom Bobick, David May and Cheryl Ambrose, members of the committee that developed the A10.50 standard, joined our podcast recently to share additional insights on helping prevent heat-related illnesses.