President Joe Biden has directed the Labor Department to issue an alert for extreme heat and strengthen workplace safety enforcement in response to the scorching temperatures affecting much of the country.
The current heatwave poses significant risks to millions of workers who work outdoors or in hot environments, such as warehouses. On average, dozens of workers in the U.S. die each year due to heat exposure, and experts are concerned that these numbers will rise as climate change leads to longer and more intense heat waves.
The Biden administration plans to enhance safety inspections in high-risk industries like construction and agriculture through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The White House also intends to reaffirm workers’ existing protections against heat-related hazards under federal law.
“There is no specific rule under OSHA mandating what companies must do to protect their employees in extreme heat.”
While OSHA can issue fines to employers for subjecting workers to hazardous levels of heat, there is currently no specific rule requiring companies to take measures like providing rest breaks and shade for their employees. Many workplace safety and environmental organizations, including a former OSHA leader, have urged the Biden administration to establish clear and enforceable rules as soon as possible.
The White House announced that OSHA will continue developing a national standard for workplace heat-safety regulations.
Over 100 Congressional Democrats have sent a letter to President Biden urging the administration to prioritize an OSHA rule that covers both indoor and outdoor work. They are advocating for requirements such as adequate rest breaks, access to water, and training to identify heat-related illnesses.
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who signed the letter, emphasized the dangers of heatwaves and climate change, stating that they are becoming increasingly severe and life-threatening.
Parts of the Southwest, including Phoenix, have experienced record-breaking heat for weeks. The Maricopa County Department of Health reported at least seven heat-related deaths between July 16 and July 22 alone, and individuals have suffered third-degree burns from touching hot pavement.
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