New OSHA Extreme Heat Initiatives

by Gulfshore Insurance

A coordinated, interagency effort is being launched to respond to extreme heat that threatens the lives of workers. OSHA issued a release that points out that while heat illness is largely preventable and commonly under-reported, thousands of workers are sickened each year by workplace heat exposure.

OSHA implemented an intervention and enforcement initiative recently to prevent and protect workers from heat-related illnesses and deaths while they are working in hazardous hot environments. Despite widespread under-reporting, 43 workers died from heat illness in 2019, and at least 2,410 others suffered serious injuries and illnesses.

Increasing heat precipitated by climate change can cause lost productivity and work hours resulting in large wage losses for workers. It is estimated that the economic loss from heat to be at least $100 billion annually – a number that could double by 2030 and quintuple by 2050 under a higher emissions scenario. The newly established initiative prioritizes heat-related interventions and inspections of work activities on days when the heat index exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

The initiative applies to indoor and outdoor worksites in general industry, construction, agriculture and maritime where potential heat-related hazards exist. Employers are encouraged to implement intervention methods on heat priority days proactively, including regularly taking breaks for water, rest, shade, training workers on how to identify common symptoms and what to do when a worker suspects a heat-related illness is occurring, and taking periodic measurements to determine workers’ heat exposure.

To better protect heat-exposed workers, OSHA is:

• Launching a rulemaking process to develop a workplace heat standard
• Implementing an enforcement initiative on heat-related hazards
• Developing a National Emphasis Program on heat inspections
• Forming a heat work group to engage stakeholders and inform ongoing efforts

In October 2021, OSHA will take a significant step toward a federal heat standard to ensure protections in workplaces across the country by issuing an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on heat injury and illness prevention in outdoor and indoor work settings. The advance notice will initiate a comment period allowing OSHA to gather diverse perspectives and technical expertise on topics including heat stress thresholds, heat acclimatization planning, exposure monitoring, and strategies to protect workers.

The agency is also working to establish a National Emphasis Program on heat hazard cases, which will target high-risk industries and focus agency resources and staff time on heat inspections.

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