Washington — Legislation recently introduced in the House would preemptively end any attempt by OSHA to finalize a proposed rule aimed at protecting indoor and outdoor workers from heat-related injuries and illnesses.
Under the Heat Workforce Standards Act (H.R. 6213), introduced Nov. 20 by Rep. Mark Messmer (R-IN), “the secretary of labor may not finalize, implement or enforce the proposed standard titled ‘Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings’ published by [OSHA] in the Federal Register on Aug. 30, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 70698), or any substantially similar standard.”
In a statement, Messmer wrote: “My Heat Workforce Standards Act empowers employers to maintain safe and realistic workplace standard parameters which allow for both their workers and the business to thrive.”
This past summer, OSHA held informal hearings on the proposed rule with several entities, including:
- AFL-CIO
- American Society of Safety Professionals
- National Federation of Independent Business
- National Safety Council
- UAW International Union
- U.S Chamber of Commerce
- U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy
The agency gave participants until Oct. 30 to submit post-hearing comments but hasn’t revealed its next steps for the proposed standard.
The bill has 28 co-sponsors and has been referred to the House Education and Workforce Committee.
