New OSHA Heat Rule: Protecting Lone Workers from Heat Stress

Heat is the top cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S., and it poses a serious risk to lone workers. In the US alone, there were about 33,890 heat-related work injuries and illnesses from 2011 to 2020, averaging 3,389 incidents each year. And the worst part? These numbers probably underestimate the actual impact.

Workers in both outdoor and indoor settings without proper climate controls face significant heat risks. However, a new OSHA heat rule aims to protect lone workers from heat stress by enforcing stricter safety standards and promoting preventive measures. Let’s break down this update to safety regulations.

What is heat stress?

Heat stress happens when the body can't cool down properly, leading to health issues that can become severe. It affects workers in hot environments or those doing heavy physical work. Watch out for several common heat-related illnesses and disorders, including:

• Heat stroke: The body can no longer control its temperature, causing it to rise rapidly. As sweating stops, the person is unable to cool down.
• Heat exhaustion: The body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually through heavy sweating.
• Rhabdomyolysis: Rapid breakdown, rupture, and death of muscle tissue.
• Heat syncope: Fainting or dizziness usually occurring after prolonged standing or suddenly standing up after sitting or lying down.
• Heat cramps: Painful muscle cramps caused by low salt levels.
• Heat rash: Skin irritation caused by excessive sweating during hot weather.

The new OSHA heat rule addresses these risks by setting stricter safety standards to protect workers from heat stress.

Current health and safety laws for extreme heat

Although there are current health and safety laws in place that aim to reduce the risk of heat stress by providing clear guidelines for employers, this hasn’t been a comprehensive focus.

Currently, without a specific heat standard, OSHA uses the general duty clause to enforce heat safety, requiring employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards. However, this approach has limitations in consistently protecting workers from heat stress.

By developing the new OSHA heat rule, employers can take proactive steps to protect workers from heat stress. This is especially important for lone workers who are at higher risk due to their isolation.

What is the new OSHA heat rule?

The new OSHA heat rule, issued as a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), aims to set a federal standard to protect workers from heat injury and illness. This proposed standard applies to all employers in outdoor and indoor work environments.

Key aspects of the proposed OSHA heat rule include:

• Heat hazard evaluation and control plan: Employers must develop a comprehensive plan to assess and manage heat hazards, clarifying responsibilities and outlining steps to protect employees. Check out our post to find out how to mitigate heat stress and illness for your lone workers.
• Preventive measures: Employers must provide drinking water, enforce rest breaks, and control indoor heat when risks are identified. Special provisions are required for new or returning workers who are not yet acclimatized to high heat.
• Training and emergency response: Employers must train workers to recognize heat-related illness symptoms and respond appropriately. Immediate action plans are needed for workers showing signs of heat emergencies.
• Public participation: OSHA seeks public comments on the proposed rule to create a final standard that balances worker protection with practicality for employers.

Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health, Douglas L. Parker, emphasized the urgency of this rule, stating, "Workers all over the country are passing out, suffering heat stroke, and dying from heat exposure from just doing their jobs. Something must be done to protect them."

This new OSHA heat rule is a vital step toward reducing occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities caused by hazardous heat, ensuring a safer work environment for all employees.

Mother Nature can be terrifyingly unpredictable, which puts millions of lone workers at risk each year. Check out our guide on how to manage the safety of lone workers during different types of severe weather.

Who will this new law impact?

The new OSHA heat rule will affect many workers and employers in various sectors. It applies to all employers in general industry, construction, maritime, and agriculture where OSHA has jurisdiction.

This means workers in construction sites, factories, shipyards, and farms will be directly affected. These workers often face high temperatures and need protection from heat stress. Employers must implement heat hazard evaluation and control plans, provide drinking water, rest breaks, and adequate cooling measures.

The rule also requires training for employees to recognize heat-related illness signs and have emergency response procedures in place. New and returning workers who are not yet acclimatized to the heat will need special considerations.

How to stay OSHA compliant

With all these confusing regulatory changes, the key priority is keeping your workers safe. These rules are designed to help, so it's important to ensure compliance with worker safety standards. How? Employers need to create a detailed injury and illness prevention plan focused on controlling heat hazards. This plan should include:

• Evaluate heat risks: Assess the workplace for potential heat hazards by monitoring temperature, humidity, and identifying high-risk tasks and areas.
• Implement preventive measures: Provide drinking water, enforce regular rest breaks, and control indoor heat with fans, air conditioning, or shade when heat risks are identified.
• Acclimatization plans: Develop procedures to help new or returning workers gradually adjust to working in high heat.
• Training programs: Educate employees on recognizing and responding to signs of heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
• Emergency response procedures: Set up and communicate clear steps for responding to heat-related emergencies, including immediate action and access to medical care.

By following these guidelines, you can create a safer working environment and ultimately reduce heat-related injuries, illnesses, and fatalities.

Safety starts with Aware360

Staying ahead of the new OSHA heat rule is so important for ensuring the safety of your workers. Once the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register, employers will have 60 days to familiarize themselves with the new standards before they take effect.

Aware360 is here to help you prepare for these new regulations with the latest in lone worker safety solutions. Our real-time monitoring, communication, and response solutions help ensure your operations stay safe and compliant.