OSHA proposes standard to protect workers from the dangers of extreme heat

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) -If you work outdoors, listen to this.

There could be changes coming to regulations that will benefit you.

Recently, The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced a proposed standard to protect workers from the dangers of extreme heat.

They believe this would be a significant step toward a federal heat standard.

“Right now there is not a standard in place.” Matt

Matt Schlobohm is the executive director of the Maine AFL-CIO.

He says though there are labor and employment laws, no standards exist specifically for extreme heat.

But that could soon change.

“For the first time ever, there’s a basic federal standard that will be in place that guarantees workers when working above certain temperatures access to water access to shade access to rest breaks access to training around heat standards. So for Maine workers who are working in very hot conditions, this is a real protection that guarantees a little more safety and a little more concern for their health and well being.” Matt

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports over 470 workers in the U-S died from exposure to environmental heat from 2011 to 2022.

“We are seeing extreme weather more and more in Maine. We are seeing temperatures rise. And we need to update our laws and rules to reflect that.” Matt

In OSHA’s analysis based off the heat index, Maine ranked as one of the states that would be least subject to these new limits.

The President and C-E-O of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce agrees that the number of fatalities from extreme heat is too high.

“We do need to address it but also address it in a way that is practical, makes sense and puts people to work but balances the safety of the workforce.” Patrick

OSHA is encouraging the public to submit comments once published in the federal register.

For more information on how to provide comments, click here.