OSHA and safety advocate group call for worker input on proposed heat rule

Los Angeles — OSHA administrator Doug Parker is urging workers to provide feedback on the agency’s proposed rule aimed at protecting them from heat-related illnesses both indoors and outdoors.

“Not only talking about the need for the rule,” Parker said during a Sept. 5 webinar hosted by the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, “but how we can make the rule better would be really, really helpful from workers. These are conversations that are often dominated by industry organizations. Workers’ voices on these issues are critical.”

Parker gave examples of helpful input:

• How heat illness prevention works in the “real world.”
• How workers cope with heat.
• Examples of heat illness prevention successes.

OSHA published a notice of proposed rulemaking on Aug. 30 and is accepting public comment until Dec. 30. An estimated 36 million workers would be covered under the rule.

Four sets of worker testimonies given during the webinar will be added to the comment docket, National COSH Executive Director Jessica Martinez noted.

“We need a federal standard, a national standard, one that protects us from extreme heat,” Martinez said during the webinar. “And it should not depend on where you live. Every worker deserves safety. We need everyone to speak up during the public comment period to ensure the strongest protections for workers.”