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Will OSHA Instate the First-Ever Federal Heat Standards to Protect Workers From Overheating Deaths?
UNITED STATES, JUL 10 – OSHA's proposal includes mandatory water, rest, shade, and paid breaks at heat triggers, addressing a 36% share of heat-related deaths among construction workers, who are 6% of the workforce.
- OSHA recently completed two weeks of public hearings on a proposed national heat illness prevention standard aiming to protect outdoor workers across the U.S.
- The rule emerged amid increasing heat-related injuries and deaths, with 33,890 work-related heat illnesses reported from 2011 to 2020 and 479 deaths due to environmental heat.
- The proposal includes mandatory water, rest, and shade at 80 degrees Fahrenheit, paid breaks above 90 degrees, and accountability measures, while critics argue the triggers vary by region and prefer flexible standards.
- Jason Mills, an OSHA litigator, said the rule is "going to disappear," reflecting opposition linked to deregulatory goals under the Trump administration, despite calls for strong, enforceable protections to save workers’ lives.
- Experts predict OSHA may finalize a heat standard by early 2026, which could reduce heat-related harm and improve productivity in vulnerable workforces if implemented nationally.
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19 Articles
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