Extreme heat has been and will continue to be a pressing hazard for years to come, so when Federal OSHA released a draft heat illness standard last summer, LIUNA and the LHSFNA were in full support. If passed, the federal heat standard will create safer working conditions for tens of millions of working people.
This January, LIUNA submitted comments on OSHA’s proposed rule, “Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings,” urging the agency to act and move forward with its rulemaking process. To further amplify the message, LIUNA General President Brent Booker encouraged LIUNA members to sign onto the comments and make their voices heard. As a result, LIUNA garnered approximately 6,400 signatures that were sent to OSHA and members’ Congress representatives.
“When Laborers come together, they get things done,” said Booker. “Collectively, we have the power to raise the bar for the construction industry, ensure safer worksites and make it harder for non-union competitors to exploit workers.”
The proposed standard reiterates the basic principles of heat safety: water, rest, shade and acclimatization. Creating rules that are scientifically backed, straightforward and easy to implement is key, and this rule fits those criteria.
Need more information on the rule? Check out our last article on it: Federal OSHA Releases Draft Heat Illness Standard.
The heat illness rule was proposed in July 2024, the public comment period ended in January 2025 and the public hearing is set to begin this June. After the public hearing, there will still be one additional comment period before OSHA can send the standard for White House approval.
There are also concerns about how the new administration will impact this rulemaking, as Republican administrations historically tend not to prioritize OSHA standards or regulations in general. Regardless of the outcome of the Federal OSHA heat rule, we hope to see more states releasing their own heat illness rules (like the examples we’ve seen in Oregon and Maryland). As a Fund, we will continue to promote water, rest, shade and acclimatization and urge all contractors to proactively implement these measures on jobsites. As always, the LHSFNA can provide hands-on assistance and other detailed resources that make it easier for LIUNA signatory contractors to protect workers.
Federal OSHA also just extended its National Emphasis Program (NEP) on outdoor and indoor heat-related hazards for another year. Under the NEP, OSHA conducts heat-related inspections of more than 70 “high-risk” industries if the National Weather Service issues a heat warning or advisory for a local area. The agency also engages in outreach and provides technical assistance when the heat index reaches at least 80°F. Additionally, OSHA compliance safety and health officers look for heat hazards during all inspections.
“Right now, a lot of us are in ‘wait-and-see’ mode,” said the Fund’s Occupational Safety & Health Director Travis Parsons. “However, you don’t need a federal standard to do the right thing for workers on heat injury and illness. Protecting workers from heat-related hazards isn’t just about awareness of the dangers or understanding proven safety measures – it’s about having the determination and commitment to put those protections into action.”
For more on heat illness prevention, check out our Outdoor Hazards resource page or reach out to our Occupational Safety & Health Division.
[Hannah Sabitoni]
