LAST CALL: PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR OSHA's HEAT RULING CLOSING

Tuesday, January 14, 2025, is the final day to submit public comments on OSHA’s Proposed Heat Standard. Your input is essential to shaping a final rule that protects workers, is practical for employers, and is grounded in evidence.

?Why This Matters

Heat is the leading cause of death among all hazardous weather conditions in the United States. Workers are on the frontlines of the climate crisis as the planet continues to heat up. Some states like Texas and Florida have recently enacted legislation that removes critical, life-saving heat safety protocols, including access to shade and water breaks.

?The standard aims to prevent and reduce the number of occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities caused by exposure to hazardous heat. The proposed standard would apply to all employers conducting outdoor and indoor work in all general industry, construction, maritime, and agriculture sectors. It would require employers to create a plan to evaluate and control heat hazards in their workplace. It would clarify employer obligations and the steps necessary to effectively protect employees from hazardous heat. Read OSHA’s fact sheet here?

?Why Your Voice is Crucial

Heat-related illnesses and deaths are entirely preventable when basic safety measures—like rest breaks, hydration, and cooling protocols—are in place. By submitting public comments, you can contribute to a national standard that saves lives.

Rapid Anthropology Consulting? https://www.rapidanthropology.com/ submitted two comments; below are excerpts.

My concerns about heat extend beyond my professional expertise. I have seen the impact of heat firsthand as a mother. My 25-year-old son is a fourth-year apprentice in a journeyman program in Dallas, Texas. Over the past two record-breaking summers, he has returned home from 10-hour shifts in unairconditioned facilities and outdoor job sites, clearly suffering from heat exhaustion. Notably, my son is young, healthy, and part of a union that enforces stringent heat safety measures, including dedicated safety officers, electrolyte provisions, heat breaks, and cooling equipment. These safeguards are not standard practice, however. Fewer than 5% of workers in Texas belong to a union, meaning that for most, protections like these are nonexistent. It breaks my heart to think of the countless mothers who live in fear, wondering if their children will become ill, suffer injuries, or even lose their lives to heat-related conditions that are entirely preventable. ~ Rose Jones, PhD, medical anthropologist

?I work at the intersection of extreme heat, public health, and human rights and ?strongly support OSHA’s proposed standard to address heat-related illnesses, injuries, and fatalities. A national standard is essential, particularly for those in states like mine, where no protections exist to safeguard workers from the devastating effects of extreme heat …. Our nation’s workers are not expendable, and it is our moral obligation to ensure their safety and dignity. ~ Marsha Prior, PhD, applied anthropologist

Take Action

Your voice can make a difference in securing critical protections for American workers. Together, let’s safeguard workers, prevent heat-related tragedies, and uphold basic human rights.

?When submitting comments or recommendations, it is optimal to provide data, information, and/or personal testimonials to support your comments. All comments, including any personal information you provide, will be placed in the public docket without change.

?Use this link?to submit comments.