During the record-breaking heat waves over summer, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration released a proposed rule to protect workers from extreme heat. The much-awaited rule, announced July 2, would create new standards that can keep workers healthy and save lives.

Among other provisions, the rule would require employers to develop an injury and illness prevention plan with workers to manage heat hazards, set requirements for water and rest breaks, and monitor indoor and outdoor workplace temperatures. Additionally, employers and workers would be required to work together to develop training to identify heat-related illness and create a plan of action in case a worker is experiencing signs of heat-related illness on the job.

Once finalized, the OSHA rule is projected to help protect about 36 million workers in both indoor and outdoor settings. Nearly 34,000 heat-related injuries and illness that occurred on the job were reported to the Bureau of Labor Statistics from 2011-2020, though the actual number is probably much higher. Many workers still are not allowed water breaks or rest periods or time off on extreme heat days.

On the hottest days, outdoor summer workers are at high risk of dehydration, exhaustion and heat stroke, which can compound underlying chronic cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. People working indoors without sufficient air-conditioning can also experience heat-related health conditions.

People of color, low-income workers and immigrants who do not have citizenship status are most at risk of heat-related illnesses on the job. These workers have five times the risk of a heat-related injury, according to the Center for American Progress.

More than 70 environmental, medical and health organizations have signed onto a letter to OSHA, urging the agency to finalize the proposed rule. The letter highlights the connection between heat and health, demonstrating the importance of creating safety precautions to protect workers as temperatures rise.

Individuals can also submit comments on the proposed rule directly to OSHA until Jan. 14.

Photo by FG Trade, courtesy iStockphoto