Record-breaking temperatures throughout the U.S. have increased the risks people face at work, especially during the summer. Every year, dozens of workers die and thousands more suffer illnesses related to hazardous heat exposure that often are preventable, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
At an April 24 meeting of the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health, OSHA presented initial regulatory framework for a draft rule to reduce the significant health risks of heat exposure for U.S. workers in outdoor and indoor settings. The committee, which advises OSHA regarding safety and health standards and policy matters, unanimously recommended the agency move forward quickly on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. As part of the rulemaking process, OSHA will seek and consider input from a wide range of stakeholders and the public at-large as it works to propose and finalize the rule.
In the interim, OSHA continues to direct existing outreach and enforcement resources to educate employers and workers and hold businesses accountable for violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act’s general duty clause, 29 U.S.C. § 654(a)(1) and other applicable regulations.
OSHA also continues to conduct heat-related inspections under its National Emphasis Program—Outdoor and Indoor Heat-Related Hazards and is prioritizing programmed inspections in agricultural industries that employ temporary, nonimmigrant H-2A workers for seasonal labor.
By law, employers must protect workers from the dangers of heat exposure and should have a proper safety and health plan in place. At a minimum, employers should provide adequate cool water, rest breaks and shade or a cool rest area, as well as allow employees time to adapt to working in hot temperatures. Additionally, workers and managers should be trained so they can identify and help prevent heat illness.
Check out NRCA’s recently released Heat Stress for Roofers Training Course, which provides important industry heat stress data and its effects on roofing workers, including how to prevent heat-related illnesses, contributing risk factors, policies and regulations surrounding heat stress, and a guide for providing a workplace heat-related illness plan.
Be sure to also check out heat safety resources on NRCA’s Heat Illness Prevention webpage.
