JLN Associates - Your Safety Team. | OSHA PROPOSED RULE: UPDATE 7/9/24
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OSHA PROPOSED RULE: UPDATE 7/9/24

OSHA PROPOSED RULE: UPDATE 7/9/24

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released a draft proposal for a heat illness prevention rule aimed at enhancing worker safety in high-temperature conditions. This proposed rule, expected to be published in the Federal Register shortly, will initiate a public comment period.

Key Elements of the Proposed Rule:

Heat Illness Prevention Plan:

  • Employers with 10 or more employees must develop a written heat illness prevention plan.

Initial Heat Trigger:

  • Requirements activate when the heat index in the work area reaches 80°F or the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) meets the NIOSH Recommended Alert Limit.

Employer Requirements Include:

  • Monitoring employees for heat stress.
  • Identifying heat hazards.
  • Providing water (1 quart per employee per hour) and rest break areas.
  • Implementing indoor work area controls.
  • Acclimatizing employees to high temperatures.
  • Issuing hazard alerts.
  • Maintaining personal protective equipment for heat.

High Heat Trigger:

  • Additional requirements activate when the heat index reaches 90°F or WBGT meets NIOSH’s Recommended Exposure Limit.

High Heat Requirements Include:

  • Minimum 15-minute paid rest break every two hours.
  • Observing employees for heat illness symptoms via:
  • A buddy system for mutual monitoring.
  • Supervision by a heat safety coordinator, with a ratio of no more than 20 employees per supervisor/coordinator.
  • Two-way communication for lone workers.

Indoor Work Areas:

  • Warning signs required in areas where ambient temperatures exceed 120°F regularly.

OSHA Administrator’s Statement:

Doug Parker, OSHA administrator, emphasized the critical need for this rule, stating, “Workers all over the country are passing out, suffering heatstroke and dying from heat exposure from just doing their jobs, and something must be done to protect them. Today’s proposal is an important next step in the process to receive public input to craft a ‘win-win’ final rule that protects workers while being practical and workable for employers.”

Review and Next Steps:

The White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs reviewed the proposed rule from June 11 to July 1. The forthcoming comment period will allow for public and stakeholder input to refine and finalize the rule. Read the offical statement here and reach out to the JLN team for assistance developing your heat illness prevention plan.