On July 2, 2024, OSHA released its proposed "heat rule" which is intended to protect employees from heat-related injury and illness from hazardous heat exposure indoors or outdoors.
The proposed rule generally applies to employers with of 10 or more employees and requires implementation of certain policies and procedures to protect employees from excessive heat.
The rule would require employers to take specific steps if certain "heat triggers" occur. For example, at a heat index of 80° F, employers must make drinking water and rest areas available to their workers. If the heat index reaches 90° F, employers must also monitor workers for signs of excessive heat exposure, notify employees of the hazards of excessive heat exposure, and provide workers with paid fifteen-minute rest breaks every two hours.
The proposed heat rule will have operational and administrative implications for covered employers. The degree of impact depends on factors such as geographic location, industry, the proportion of outdoor workers, and whether indoor workspaces are adequately ventilated or air-conditioned.
“The Heat Rule will impact a wide range of New Jersey industries including agriculture, construction, New Jersey shore employees, utilities, dry cleaners and municipalities,” says Christine Myers, president of Employers Association of New Jersey. “These industries currently employ safety practices specific to their work and heat related risk factors affecting their employees. Unfortunately, additional regulations may result in costly compliance hurdles, especially for small businesses.”
There are some notable exceptions to the rule. It does not apply to firefighters or other emergency response personnel; nor employees whose tasks are indoor and largely sedentary, regularly performed in air-conditioned spaces and/or conducted with only short-duration heat exposure.
Currently, the rule remains a proposal, and the public comment period will close on December 30, 2024.
EANJ invites representatives from both industry and the public sector who may be affected by OSHA’s Heat Injury and Illness Prevention rule to participate in a roundtable discussion on how this rule could impact your operations and employees. As part of this effort, EANJ will gather and submit employer feedback to OSHA during the public comment period.
“Information gathered at these roundtables will be instrumental to OSHA in achieving the goals of the Heat Bill without creating unnecessary red tape, costs, and negative consequences to New Jersey businesses and their customers,” said Myers.
Details and Registration for Roundtable Discussion.
For questions reach out to christine@eanj.org or (908)451-7415