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OSHA Releases Proposed Heat Illness and Injury Prevention Standard

Prior to the 4th of July, OSHA released the text of its proposed standard for heat illness and injury prevention for indoor and outdoor settings. Elements of the proposal include the following:

  • Training requirements for supervisors, heat safety coordinators, and employees;
  • Developing and implementing a work site heat injury and illness prevention plan (a written plan must be created for employers with more than 10 employees);
  • An initial heat trigger with a heat index of 80 degrees Fahrenheit (or equivalent wet bulb globe temperature). Requirements for employers include providing drinking water, break areas for indoor and outdoor work sites, acclimatization of new and returning employees, paid rest breaks if needed;
  • A high heat trigger with a heat index of 90 degrees Fahrenheit (or equivalent wet bulb globe temperature). Requirements for employers include a minimum 15-minute paid rest break at least every two hours, warning signs for excessively high heat areas;
  • Two different options for acclimatization procedures for new and returning workers; and
  • Additional recordkeeping requirements.

OSHA is giving the public 120 days to comment after publication in the Federal Register, which will likely happen in the next couple of weeks.

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