Compliance Stuff

 Biden-Harris administration announces proposed rule to protect indoor, outdoor workers from extreme heat WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has r eleased a proposed rule with the goal of protecting millions of workers from the significant health risks of extreme heat . If finalized, the proposed rule would help protect approximately 36 million workers in indoor and outdoor work settings and substantially reduce heat injuries, illnesses and deaths in the workplace.  Heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S. Excessive workplace heat can lead to heat stroke and even death. While heat hazards impact workers in many industries, workers of color have a higher likelihood of working in jobs with hazardous heat exposure.   “Every worker should come home safe and healthy at the end of the day, which is why the Biden-Harris administration is taking this significant step to protect workers from the dangers posed by extreme heat,” said Acting Secretary of...

 The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has moved a step closer to a final rule for “Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings.” OSHA sent the yet-to-be-unveiled rule to the Office of Management and Budget for an interagency review of up to 90 days, after which OSHA will publish the rule in the Federal Register to give it effect. While the final rule has not been published, the potential regulatory framework OSHA proposed in 2023 on the topic offers clues to how to prepare. Under the proposal, employers would be required to create and maintain a written Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Program (HIPP) . Small employers with up to 10 employees would be exempted from the HIPP requirement. Further, outdoor and indoor work in any or all General Industry, Construction, Maritime, and Agriculture sectors where OSHA has jurisdiction would be covered. Other potential requirements under the proposed standard call for employers to identify heat ...