Proposed OSHA heat standard: protection for workers, costs for employers

CODY — The Biden administration has recently proposed a new Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rule aimed at protecting workers from extreme heat exposure. This regulation, while potentially life-saving, could impose significant costs on employers.

The proposed rule, announced on July 2, 2024, requires employers to develop comprehensive heat illness prevention plans.

These plans would include measures such as providing water, mandatory rest breaks, and monitoring for heat-related symptoms when temperatures reach certain thresholds. Specifically, employers must ensure hydratio...