To deal with the most dangerous weather-related threat in the U.S., the Biden administration has suggested new rules to protect workers from extreme heat.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the U.S. Department of Labor released these new rules to stop heat-related illnesses and deaths.
Details of New OSHA Rules
Under the new rules, employers must make thorough plans for dealing with heat-related illnesses and injuries. There needs to be a heat safety supervisor and a set of rules for how to treat heat illness symptoms like cramps, nausea, and passing out.
When heat indexes exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit, employers must monitor the workplace and take safety precautions. This includes giving areas to cool down and drink water. When it's 90 degrees or higher outside, workers must take 15-minute paid breaks every two hours to cool down.
This effort will help 35 million people who work outside or in building, farming, or other outdoor jobs. People who work from home or whose air conditioning keeps the temperature below the heat index are exempt. State and local government and emergency workers who are not OSHA staff are not covered.
President Biden emphasized how important these steps are and said that too much heat kills more Americans than storms, floods, and tornadoes put together. He said last year's weather damage to the U.S. economy cost $90 billion.
In addition to the new OSHA rules, Biden said that FEMA is finalizing a rule to address the risk of flooding in government building projects and giving $1 billion in grants to communities to help them deal with natural disasters. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released fresh studies on climate change, emphasizing the importance of doing these things.
Why is this move so important?
34% of the over 1,000 American workers who perished from extreme heat between 1992 and 2022-as per the EPA's "Climate Indicators" analysis-were employed in the construction industry. Workplace safety needs to be improved to prevent tragedies like this one because of the growing frequency and severity of heat waves brought on by global warming.
Your business and your health are at stake during extreme heat waves. The White House fact sheet states that in 2023, extreme weather and climate calamities would cost an unprecedented $90 billion. By reducing heat-related injuries and fatalities and improving worker safety, the new OSHA regulations aim to counteract these consequences.
Supporters of the proposed rules include labor unions. The AFL-CIO President, Liz Shuler, stated that if the new rule is approved, it will cover basic standards for the health and safety of employees. Some companies oppose the notion, claiming that a general regulation would be difficult to implement in all areas.
California, Colorado, Oregon, Minnesota, and Washington are some of the places that have rules about how much heat workers can be exposed to at work. Local governments in Florida and Texas have not been able to pass heat safety rules for outdoor workers because of laws pushed by Republicans. All states must have rules that are at least as strict as the federal rule if the Biden administration's rule becomes law.
Millions of Americans are at risk of heat stroke, dehydration, and heart stress in July, which is the hottest month of the year. The aggressive approach of the Biden government is needed to protect workers and slow climate change.
RELATED ARTICLE: 'Excessive Heat' Weather Warnings Issued Across 6 US States Ahead of Impending Heat Wave
Check out more news and information on Environment & Climate in Science Times.
