Staying safe in the heat: New OSHA Heat Standard targets indoor workers

As we head into the dog days of summer, it’s important for employers to take steps to protect workers from the risks of heat-related illness. In 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a new heat-related illness standard that will apply to indoor environments. This standard targets workers in manufacturing facilities without climate-controlled environments. While the rule has yet to be finalized, it may require employers to make costly process changes to protect their workers from heat-related illnesses.

Understanding the New OSHA Standard

Heat is the primary cause of death among weather-related events and is becoming more dangerous due to increasingly hot temperatures. It can result in heat stroke and worsen pre-existing health issues. Agricultural and construction workers are most at risk, but all workers exposed to heat are affected.

Climate change is intensifying extreme heat events and raising daily temperatures. It’s the uptick in these trends that have pushed OSHA to update the standards surrounding heat stress safety.

The new OSHA standard is aimed at protecting indoor workers in manufacturing facilities without climate-controlled environments. Workers of color, who make up a significant portion of essential employees, are disproportionately affected, exacerbating racial and socioeconomic inequalities.

Employers will need to take steps to ensure their workers, indoor and outdoor, are not exposed to excessive heat and humidity. Updates to the rule are still being developed, but may require employers to implement increased break frequencies, exposure monitoring of temperature and humidity, and employee acclimation programs.

   

While the federal government works on finalizing the new OSHA heat standard, some states have taken steps to protect workers from heat-related illnesses. Oregon and Virginia have already implemented their own processes to protect workers from both indoor and outdoor heat-related illnesses.

The following steps to may help ensure workers are protected from heat-related illnesses

1. Providing cold water for workers to drink
2. Encouraging workers to take breaks when needed
3. Knowing the following signs and symptoms of heat-related illness
   • Confusion
   • Slurred speech
   • Unconsciousness
   • Seizures
   • Heavy sweating or hot, dry skin
   • Very high body temperature
   • Rapid heart rate
   • Fatigue
   • Irritability
   • Thirst
   • Nausea or vomiting
   • Dizziness or lightheadedness
   • Fainting
   • Heavy sweating
   • Elevated body temperature or fast heart rate
   • Muscle spasms or pain
   • Clusters of red bumps on skin
   • Dark urine or reduced urine output
4. Providing cooling vests or other personal protective equipment
5. Implementing training programs to educate workers about the risks of heat-related illness

For more information on heat-related illness and how to prevent them, download OSHA’s guide to preventing heat illnesses at workand theCDC’s heat-related illness fact sheet.

For a better understanding of your risk and liability: or for assistance implementing a fully compliant and functional safety program, contact the experts at Delta Compliance!