In response to record-breaking heatwaves and concerns for workers’ safety, President Joe Biden issued a new instruction on July 27, urging the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to issue the first ever Hazard Alert for Heat in the country. The alert aims to increase inspections of job sites to prevent heat related ailments among workers.
More DOL Inspections
President Biden’s request calls for more DOL inspections to be conducted to safeguard workers from severe temperatures. The Department of Labor will provide detailed guidance to companies on immediate measures they can take to protect their workforce. This includes ensuring that workers are aware of their rights, such as safeguards against retaliation, and highlighting the ongoing actions of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to protect workers.
National Standard for Workplace Heat Safety Rules
In addition to ramping up inspections, OSHA is actively working on a national standard for workplace heat safety rules. The Department of Labor will increase the punishment for heat safety violations, with a particular focus on high risk industries like construction and agriculture.
American Road and Transportation Builders Association’s Response
The American Road and Transportation Builders Association acknowledges that its members are likely to face increased evaluations by OSHA. Any inspection, even if initiated for another hazard, may also involve inspections for heat hazards. To assist contractors, the association provides “Heat Illness Prevention Plan” templates with checklists for adhering to best practices and OSHA heat abatement requirements.
Context and Background
This latest White House order coincides with a period of record breaking heat in several areas of the country. Furthermore, Texas Governor Greg Abbott passed a law forbidding local ordinances that require construction workers to take forced water breaks, which has raised concerns about worker safety. To address these issues, President Biden has scheduled meetings with the mayors of Phoenix, Arizona, and San Antonio, Texas, to explore the impact of searing weather on their towns. More than 400 employees have died since 2011 due to heat exposure, and thousands more are hospitalized each year, highlighting the urgency of heat related protections for workers under federal law.
President Biden’s decisive action to prioritize worker safety and address heat related hazards marks quite an important step towards protecting the American workforce. The issuance of the Hazard Alert for Heat, along with increased DOL inspections and ongoing efforts to establish national workplace heat safety rules, re-affirms the commitment to safeguarding workers from extreme temperatures and potential health risks.