{"id":23066,"date":"2024-09-13T13:00:08","date_gmt":"2024-09-13T17:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jobbinghood.com\/magazine\/2024\/09\/04\/8-things-to-know-about-oshas-proposed-heat-rule\/"},"modified":"2024-09-13T13:00:08","modified_gmt":"2024-09-13T17:00:08","slug":"8-things-to-know-about-oshas-proposed-heat-rule","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jobbinghood.com\/magazine\/2024\/09\/13\/8-things-to-know-about-oshas-proposed-heat-rule\/","title":{"rendered":"8 things to know about OSHA\u2019s proposed heat rule"},"content":{"rendered":"

8 things to know about OSHA\u2019s proposed heat rule <\/span><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Heat is a leading cause of death among all weather-related phenomena in the United States. And it\u2019s a serious occupational hazard for many workers, both indoors and out. That\u2019s why the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed a new standard<\/a> that would protect approximately 36 million workers from heat hazards.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve gotten a lot of questions about the proposed rule. Here are answers to some of those FAQs \u2013 but remember, this is a proposed rule and it is subject to change based on input from the public:<\/p>\n

1. What workers would be covered?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Anyone working outdoors or indoors in general industry, construction, maritime and agricultural sectors where OSHA has jurisdiction. That includes many occupations where we know workers are at high risk of heat hazards, such as farmworkers, restaurant workers, construction workers, delivery drivers and many more. In states with their own State Plans, OSHA monitors those plans \u2013 and they must be at least as effective in protecting workers and in preventing work-related injuries, illnesses and deaths.<\/p>\n

2. Who isn\u2019t covered?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

People who telework; those who perform work with no reasonable expectation of exposure to a heat index at or above 80\u00b0F (indoors or outdoors); those whose work is performed in indoor work areas or vehicles where air conditioning consistently keeps the temperature below 80 \u00b0F; people doing emergency response work; those doing indoor sedentary activities, such as sitting at a desk; and workers who may be exposed to a heat index at or above 80\u00b0F for a short time (15 minutes or less in any 60-minute period).<\/p>\n

3. How would heat hazards be identified at my worksite?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

For outdoor work, employers would need to track the local heat index (temperature + humidity) forecasts, or measure the heat index or the \u201cwet bulb globe temperature<\/a>\u201d (WBGT). <\/p>\n

For indoor work, employers would need to identify work areas with hazardous heat exposure, and to develop and implement a monitoring plan for those areas by measuring the heat index or WBGT. <\/p>\n

4. What happens when the heat index reaches 80\u00b0F at my worksite?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A heat index of 80\u00b0F is the initial heat trigger. At or above the initial heat trigger, an employer would be required to:<\/p>\n