OSHA Proposed Heat Regulations
Posted on Sep. 24, 2024 / Safety Alert, Advocacy Alert / Subscribe 0
Many of you are probably aware, but OSHA has been working on a new Heat standard for a few years now. August 30, they published an official Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) and request for comments. Comments are due no later than December 30, 2024. The new standard is titled Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings. This standard will apply to all employers conducting outdoor and indoor work, so I think this is essentially everyone that is regulated by OSHA, but even state and local government employees may be covered by state-level standards. Since most of the waste and recycling work happens outdoors, we have a lot of employees that are potentially exposed to hazardous heat conditions. The agency is calling this a programmatic standard, meaning that it will require employers to create a plan to evaluate and control the heat hazards in their workplace. The official docket, with links to published notices, support documents, and comments can be found here: https://www.regulations.gov/docket/OSHA-2021-0009.
Goal: The purpose of the new standard is to prevent and reduce occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities caused by hazardous heat.
Thresholds: 80°F Initial trigger point for basic requirements; 90°F Enhance requirements apply; Additional Considerations factor in humidity to determine heat stress levels.
Annual Statistics: According to OSHA, there were an estimated 33,890 work-related heat injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away from work between 2011 and 2020 (3,389 per year, average).
Record Breaking Temperatures: Higher temperatures mean more potential exposure. On days when the temperature is above 85°F, the overall risk of injury increases by 5-7%; if the temperature exceeds 100°F, the risk of injury increases by 10-15%. Low-income and male workers are more likely to work in places where they may be impacted by hot conditions. It can take 5-7 days for workers to acclimate to working in the heat.
Possible Mitigation Measures:
- Operational Changes - Identifying and implementing cooling measures, route adjustments, buddy system, appropriate clothing
- Facilities - Possible need for air-conditioned vehicles or indoor break areas, water, rest, shade
- Resources - Additional staff time and expertise for plan development, implementation, and training
- OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Campaign - launched in 2011 to educate about heat dangers
Do you have comments to add? SWANA is planning on submitting comments ahead of the December 30 deadline. Contact Hoosier SWANA today to add your voice.
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