Public comment period is open until December 30, 2024, on OSHA’s proposed Heat Injury and Illness Prevention rule, which was published in the Federal Register on Friday, August 30, 2024 (see, 2024-08-30.pdf (osha.gov)). The proposed rule has been available on OSHA’s heat rulemaking webpage since July 2, 2024. OSHA’s proposed rule would require employers to develop programs to protect their employees from heat hazards in both the outdoor and indoor work environments.

•  The proposed standard would apply broadly to all employers conducting outdoor and indoor work activities in general industry, construction, maritime, and agriculture (where OSHA has jurisdiction).

• The proposed rule is a programmatic standard that would require employers to evaluate their workplaces and implement controls to mitigate employee exposures though engineering and administrative controls, training, effective communication, and other measures.

• The proposed rule includes initial and high heat triggers at the 80- and 90-degree levels, which would require increasingly stringent control measures to protect employees.

• The rule also includes certain exemptions, including short-duration exposures, emergency response activities, and workplaces that are kept below 80 degrees.

• The proposed rule was the subject of a Small Business Advocacy Review panel in 2023 (see the Heat Injury and Illness SBREFA | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (osha.gov)).

Comments on OSHA’s proposed Heat Injury and Illness Prevention rule are due by December 30, 2024. For additional information, resources, and background materials, please visit OSHA’s Heat rulemaking webpage.
 

OSHA encourages the public to participate by submitting comments. Your input will help us develop a final rule that adequately protects workers, is feasible for employers, and is based on the best available evidence. The NPRM is available on the Federal Register web page at https://federalregister.gov/d/2024-14824 and at www.regulations.gov, which is the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. You may submit comments and attachments electronically at www.regulations.gov, Docket No. OSHA-2021-0009. Follow the instructions online for making electronic submissions. Comments must be submitted by December 30, 2024. When submitting comments or recommendations, commenters should explain their rationale and, if possible, provide data and information to support their comments or recommendations.

All comments, including any personal information you provide, will be placed in the public docket without change and, with the exception of copyrighted materials, will be publicly available online at www.regulations.gov. Therefore, OSHA cautions commenters about submitting information they do not want to be made available to the public or submitting materials that contain personal information (either about themselves or others) such as Social Security Numbers and birthdates. All comments and submissions are listed in the www.regulations.gov index; however, some information (e.g., copyrighted material) is not publicly available to read or download through that website. All submissions, including copyrighted material, are available for inspection at the OSHA Docket Office. Contact the OSHA Docket Office at 202-693-2350 (TTY number: 877-889-5627) for assistance in locating docket submissions.

For more information on how to provide comments at this stage of the process, visit https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/rulemakingprocess#v-nav-tab2.