OSHA’s proposed heat standard published in Federal Register

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published a proposed standard addressing heat illness in outdoor and indoor settings in the Federal Register.

The proposed rule would require employers to evaluate workplaces and implement controls to mitigate exposure to heat through engineering and administrative controls, training, effective communication, and other measures.

The provisions include:

• Identification of heat hazards through periodic monitoring
• Basic requirements at the initial heat trigger of 80 degrees
• Additional requirements at the high heat trigger of 90 degrees
• Heat illness emergency response and planning
• Heat injury and illness prevention plan

The rule also provides certain exemptions, including short-duration exposures, emergency response activities, telework, and workplaces that are kept below 80 degrees. OSHA has given a 120-day comment period with a deadline of Dec. 30, 2024.