Congress Moves to Limit Worker Heat Protections; Alliance Updates Rule Checklist

A bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives Education and Workforce Committee this week could prevent the U.S. Department of Labor from finalizing federal worker protections against extreme heat. Research from Harvard University suggests a national heat standard could prevent up to 1,500 worker deaths annually.

The proposed standard, released by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in July 2024, aims to ensure workers receive adequate water and shade breaks during hot conditions. The bill's passage through committee casts uncertainty on the future of such federal regulations.

"Heat events like this are only going to become more common and workers should be able to rely on the government to take steps to protect them," said Charlotte Brody, BlueGreen Alliance Vice President of Health Initiatives. "But in the absence of a federal rule, it is critical that leaders at every level of government and responsible business leaders develop standards to keep workers safe in the heat."

In response to the stalled federal effort, the BlueGreen Alliance, alongside labor unions and environmental organizations, has released an updated checklist for a model heat illness prevention rule. This guide is intended to help states, local governments, and companies develop their own safety standards.