22 I PSAI Association Insight, October 13, 2021
New OSHA Heat
Initiative Announced
From US Department of Labor news release,
published Sept. 20, 2021
Thousands of workers are sickened each year by
workplace heat exposure. To combat the hazards
associated with extreme heat exposure — both
indoors and outdoors — the Department of Labor
is enhancing and expanding efforts to address
heat-related illness.
Despite widespread under-reporting, 43 workers
died from heat illness in 2019, and at least 2,410
others suffered serious injuries and illnesses.
The Atlantic Council's Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller
Foundation Resilience Center estimates the
economic loss from heat to be at least $100 billion
annually — a number that could double by 2030.
To emphasize its concern and take necessary action,
OSHA is implementing an enforcement initiative
on heat-related hazards, developing a National
Emphasis Program on heat inspections, and launching
a rulemaking process to develop a workplace
heat standard. In addition, the agency is forming a
National Advisory Committee on Occupational
Safety and Health Heat Injury and Illness Prevention
Work Group to provide better understanding of
challenges and to identify and share best practices
to protect workers.
Read the full news release
