At United Alliance Services, we’re committed to helping businesses stay informed and prepared for regulatory changes that impact workplace safety. Right now, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has proposed a new rule regarding heat injury and illness prevention in both indoor and outdoor work settings. This rule would have far-reaching implications for industries where employees are exposed to heat hazards, including construction, maritime, agriculture, and other general industries.
ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors) is seeking feedback from its members to ensure that your voice is heard in response to OSHA’s proposed rule. By completing the ABC Member Survey, you can provide valuable input that will help shape ABC’s official comment letter. Your responses and comments will be anonymized and used to inform the construction industry’s stance on this important issue.
What Does OSHA’s Proposed Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Rule Entail?
The new rule would apply to all employers under OSHA’s jurisdiction, across various industries, requiring them to establish measures to protect workers from heat hazards. The proposal outlines several critical elements:
- Training Requirements: Employers must provide heat safety training to supervisors, heat safety coordinators, and employees to help them understand and mitigate heat-related risks.
- Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Plan: Companies with more than 10 employees would be required to create a written plan to address heat hazards, detailing strategies for prevention and response.
- Heat Triggers:
- When the heat index reaches 80°F, employers would need to provide drinking water, break areas, and other preventive measures such as paid rest breaks if necessary. Acclimatization procedures would also be required for new or returning employees.
- At a heat index of 90°F, additional precautions would be mandatory. This includes mandatory 15-minute rest breaks every two hours, posting warning signs in excessively hot areas, and more.
- Acclimatization Procedures: Employers would have two options to introduce new or returning workers to extreme heat conditions safely.
- Recordkeeping Requirements: Companies would need to maintain detailed records on how they’re addressing heat hazards, ensuring compliance with the new standards.
Why Is Your Feedback Important?
OSHA’s proposed rule has significant implications for employers in heat-exposed industries. Your insights will help ABC craft a comprehensive and representative response that reflects the needs and concerns of businesses like yours. The feedback gathered will also be key in highlighting any challenges or adjustments that need to be addressed to make the rule effective and practical for implementation.
By sharing your experiences and opinions, you’re playing a vital role in shaping the future of workplace safety standards.
How to Participate
Participating is easy! Simply follow this link to Take the Survey. The survey is straightforward, and your responses will remain confidential. ABC will use the anonymized data to advocate for reasonable and effective heat safety regulations that work for both employees and employers.
Stay Informed
For more details about OSHA’s proposed rule, visit their fact sheet and heat safety webpage. You can also check out ABC’s Regulatory Roundup for ongoing updates on regulatory developments that affect the construction and building industry.
By taking just a few minutes to complete this survey, you can help ensure that industry voices are heard and considered in the final version of this critical rule.
Stay proactive, stay safe, and let your voice be heard!