Heat Standard Comments Due by Year-End
- OSHA will accept public comments through Dec. 30 on its proposed rule issuing a heat injury and illness prevention standard for both outdoor and indoor workplaces, according to an Aug. 30 filing in The Federal Register.
- Announced in July 2024, the 1,000-page rule – if finalized – would help protect approximately 36 million workers in indoor and outdoor work settings and substantially reduce workplace heat injuries, illnesses and fatalities, according to OSHA.
- The National Safety Council issued a statement on July 2 supporting the proposed ruling, claiming it “ensures all workers remain free from the hazards associated with working in extreme heat conditions.”
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OSHA Commits to Crackdown on Serial Violators
- OSHA will make a focus on persistent safety violators after expanding its Severe Violator Enforcement Program (SVEP).
- Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker recently told attendees at the American Society of Safety Professionals’ annual conference (at 12:57 in linked video) that OSHA is taking a more comprehensive approach where it sees the same issues reoccur.
- The SVEP has been expanded “to cover any industry with the understanding that you can have high-hazard industries but you can also have a high-hazard employer in any sector,” said Parker.
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