Chuck Darwin on Nostr: Biden unveils rules to protect millions of US workers from extreme heat The Biden ...
Biden unveils rules to protect millions of US workers from extreme heat
The Biden administration has unveiled a long-awaited proposal to protect workers from extreme temperatures.
If finalized, the rule will establish the nation’s first-ever federal safety standard for excessive heat exposure in the workplace
and protect as many as 36 million indoor and outdoor workers from heat-related injury.
Announced on Tuesday amid temperature warnings across the country,
the rule would require employers to establish heat safety coordinators,
undergo extreme heat safety training,
create and regularly update emergency heat response plans,
and provide workers with shade and water.
It would also require a heat acclimatization process for new employees to gradually increase their exposure to high temperatures.
Three out of four workers who die of workplace heat exposure in the US die during their first week on the job, senior administration officials told reporters on Monday.
The proposed rule includes specific safeguards for when the heat index in a workplace breaches 80F (27C),
including increased access to water and temperature-controlled break rooms.
At a 90F (32C) heat index, the standard would trigger additional protections,
including paid 15-minute breaks every two hours, mandated observation of employees and hazard alerts for all workers.
Employers who fail to meet the standard could be subject to fines.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s general-duty clause, workplaces with dangerous levels of heat stress can be subject to penalties of roughly $16,000;
the rule would substantially increase that amount, administration officials said.
Advocates and policymakers celebrated the move.
“For decades, workers have been organizing for federal protections from the extreme heat.
Despite opposition from big corporations, these working families are finally winning the protections they deserve,” said Representative Greg Casar of Texas,
who last year went on an all-day thirst strike calling for heat protections.
Extreme heat is the deadliestform of extreme weather, killing hundreds of Americans each year.
The threat is increasing amid the climate crisis.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jul/02/biden-extreme-heat-proposaal?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
The Biden administration has unveiled a long-awaited proposal to protect workers from extreme temperatures.
If finalized, the rule will establish the nation’s first-ever federal safety standard for excessive heat exposure in the workplace
and protect as many as 36 million indoor and outdoor workers from heat-related injury.
Announced on Tuesday amid temperature warnings across the country,
the rule would require employers to establish heat safety coordinators,
undergo extreme heat safety training,
create and regularly update emergency heat response plans,
and provide workers with shade and water.
It would also require a heat acclimatization process for new employees to gradually increase their exposure to high temperatures.
Three out of four workers who die of workplace heat exposure in the US die during their first week on the job, senior administration officials told reporters on Monday.
The proposed rule includes specific safeguards for when the heat index in a workplace breaches 80F (27C),
including increased access to water and temperature-controlled break rooms.
At a 90F (32C) heat index, the standard would trigger additional protections,
including paid 15-minute breaks every two hours, mandated observation of employees and hazard alerts for all workers.
Employers who fail to meet the standard could be subject to fines.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s general-duty clause, workplaces with dangerous levels of heat stress can be subject to penalties of roughly $16,000;
the rule would substantially increase that amount, administration officials said.
Advocates and policymakers celebrated the move.
“For decades, workers have been organizing for federal protections from the extreme heat.
Despite opposition from big corporations, these working families are finally winning the protections they deserve,” said Representative Greg Casar of Texas,
who last year went on an all-day thirst strike calling for heat protections.
Extreme heat is the deadliestform of extreme weather, killing hundreds of Americans each year.
The threat is increasing amid the climate crisis.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jul/02/biden-extreme-heat-proposaal?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other