Washington — The House Education and Workforce Committee has approved a bill that would prohibit OSHA from issuing a proposed standard on heat illness and injury prevention.
The Heat Workforce Standards Act of 2025 (H.R. 6213) also would prevent OSHA from publishing any heat standard that’s “substantially similar.” The bill was sent to the full House after an 18-15 party-line vote on July 21.
Reps. Mark Messmer (R-IN), the bill’s primary sponsor, and Tim Walberg (R-MI), who chairs the committee, derided OSHA’s current effort at finalizing what they call a “one-size-fits-all” standard.
“It’s not fair to propose a one-size-fits-all federal mandate that applies to very disparate industries, climates and workplace environments,” Messmer said during a markup before the vote.
Supporters of a heat standard, led by Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), the committee’s ranking member, pointed to recent heat waves to argue that one is needed.
“The committee is marking up legislation that actively makes workers less safe on the job while exposed to extreme heat,” Rep. John Mannion (D-NY) said. “Not only does it object to the basic protections proposed under the previous administration, but it also prevents any similar rule from taking effect in the future.
“Let’s be clear on exactly what we’re talking about here and what the majority objects to: Simply, that employers have a plan in place to protect workers from excessive heat, and that includes things like drinking water, rest breaks in the shade and fans to control indoor heat. Basic standards around occupational heat exposure are just commonsense measures to keep workers safe.”
An amendment to replace the bill with the Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness, Injury and Fatality Prevention Act of 2025, offered by Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC), was defeated in an 18-15 vote.
