by On July 2, 2024, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provided an advance copy of its proposed standard that, if finalized, would create the first federal standard aimed at protecting workers from exposure to heat hazards in the workplace. It would apply to both indoor and outdoor work.
The standard, titled Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings, would apply to nearly all employers regulated by OSHA including employers in general industry, construction, and agriculture sectors. It requires employers to develop a Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Plan (HIIPP). The HIIPP would be required to include site-specific information to identify, monitor, and control heat hazards. It would also require employers to develop a detailed heat emergency response plan.
The next step in the rule making process is for OSHA to formally publish the rule in the Federal Register, opening the proposed rule for comments by the public including employers, employees, unions, and various organizations.
