Consortium Statement on Proposed Federal Heat Standard for Workers

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July 2, 2024

Extreme heat is the deadliest weather-related hazard in the United States, and workers — especially those who have been made vulnerable by structural and systemic inequities — are at even greater risk as average temperatures rise.
On July 2, President Biden announced that the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is proposing the creation of the nation’s first-ever federal safety standard to protect workers from heat. In response, the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health released the following statement:

The Consortium celebrates the proposed rule as a pivotal step towards ensuring that all workers have access to essential protections against heat-related hazards. If finalized, the rule is projected to impact approximately 36 million indoor and outdoor workers across multiple industries and significantly reduce the number of heat injuries, illnesses, and deaths in the workplace.

“The burning of fossil fuels is driving worsening heat waves that are unsafe for millions of indoor and outdoor workers. We have seen countless preventable deaths of farmers, warehouse workers, construction workers, and postal workers during periods of extreme heat,” said Lisa Patel, executive director of the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health. “This new proposed federal safety standard could help keep workers safe from this evolving threat. This is particularly important as we have seen state-level actions that prioritize business interests over worker health by prohibiting local ordinances to protect workers from heat.”

Under this new standard, employers would be required to develop an injury and illness prevention plan, evaluate heat risks, and implement simple safety measures. These life-saving measures include adequate rest breaks, access to shade and water, and climate acclimatization programs for new and returning workers unaccustomed to working in extreme heat conditions.

As health professionals, we understand the importance of protecting health before patients need treatment. This rule helps ensure that workers have access to healthy and safe working environments, and it should be finalized and implemented as soon as possible to maximize the health benefits it contributes.