OSHA Releases Options for National Worker Heat Stress Standard

Federal requirements for protecting workers from heat stress could be triggered by temperatures forecasted to be as low as 78 degrees, according to OSHA’s options for a proposed heat standard.

The trigger temperature option is among the proposed standard’s details released Thursday by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Currently, the federal government has no rules protecting private-industry workers from heat stress.

The agency also announced a series of meetings with small business owners and operators on the heat standard starting Sept. 7 and continuing to Sept. 18, and outlined options for the rule as part of the preparations. Federal ...