OSHA’s Proposed Rule on Heat Protections Is Now Open for Public Comment

OSHA’s Proposed Rule on Heat Protections Is Now Open for Public Comment

This proposed regulation would impact 36 million workers in indoor and outdoor environments.

The U.S. Department of Labor has officially opened the public comment period for a proposed OSHA rule aimed at protecting workers from the dangers of extreme heat. 

Initially announced in July 2024, the regulation aims to implement protections for roughly 36 million indoor and outdoor workers at risk of heat exhaustion, heat stroke and fatalities associated with extreme heat. If finalized, this rule could significantly reduce the number of heat-related injuries, illnesses and deaths in U.S. workplaces.

According to the Federal Register notice, “the standard would apply to all employers conducting outdoor and indoor work in all general industry, construction, maritime and agriculture sectors… It would be a programmatic standard that would require employers to create a plan to evaluate and control heat hazards in their workplace. It would more clearly set forth employer obligations and the measures necessary to effectively protect employees from hazardous heat.”

Following the publication of the proposed Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings, OSHA has encouraged widespread public participation in the rulemaking process. The organization emphasizes the critical role that input from workers, employers and other stakeholders plays in developing a final rule that effectively protects workers while remaining feasible for businesses to implement. 

Individuals and organizations interested in submitting comments can do so by referencing Docket Number OSHA-2021-0009. Detailed instructions for submitting comments are available in the Federal Register notice. OSHA also plans to hold a public hearing after the written comment period concludes at a later date.

About the Author

Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.

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