The U.S Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has announced the first-ever federal heat safety regulations to protect workers from the threat of extreme heat. OSHA’s new heat safety rules are a major step towards mitigating heat stress health risks and, if enforced, would be the first federal heat stress standard to ensure that workers are better protected against the dangers of rising temperatures and heat illness.
This blog explores the implications of these new OSHA heat safety guidelines, and the importance of heat safety for workers, organizations, and the country as a whole. We’ll also explore the best ways to comply with the latest regulations and best practices.
What Are The New OSHA Heat Stress Regulations for 2026?
In response to the rising heat-related illnesses and deaths, the Biden administration has come up with a stricter heat safety action plan with provisions for worker heat stress safety. The new regulations by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) address the critical concern of extreme heat stress and are intended to be mandated by 2026.
OSHA’s long-awaited heat safety rule comes after years of development of a new heat safety and illness prevention standard. OSHA believes that a mandatory federal standard specific to heat-related injury and illness prevention is necessary to address the hazards posed by occupational heat exposure. Key provisions include:
- Mandatory Heat Illness Prevention Plans (HIPP): The new rule adds safeguards for workers nationwide, with employers required to provide heat safety awareness training for identifying heat hazards and implementing comprehensive heat illness prevention plans and work practice standards. These include providing adequate rest breaks, access to shade and hydration.
- Acclimatization Programs: The regulations emphasize the importance of heat acclimatization programs, especially for new hires or workers returning from breaks. Gradually increasing workload and exposure to hot conditions allows workers to adapt physically, reducing the risk of heat stress.
- Medical Monitoring and Emergency Response: Employers will have protocols in place for monitoring workers for signs of heat stress and ensuring timely access to medical care in case of emergencies.
Heat Stress and its Impact on Workers and Businesses
Extreme heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), nearly 1,000 workers in the United States died from excessive heat exposure between 1992 and 2022, with 34% of the deaths occurring in the construction industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports over 33,000 work-related heat injuries and heat illnesses between 2011-2022, however, these statistics are likely to be vast underestimates.
The consequences of heat stress and heat exhaustion extend beyond individual workers. OSHA Assistant Secretary Doug Parker emphasized the urgent need for protections: “Workers all over the country are passing out, suffering heat stroke and dying from heat exposure from just doing their jobs, and something must be done to protect them.”
Heat illness can lead to lost workdays, decreased worker morale and retention rates, impacting both individual livelihoods and the overall productivity of industries reliant on outdoor labor. Organizations face the potential financial burden of rising healthcare costs associated with heat-related illnesses.
OSHA Heat Safety Rules FAQs
Who Does The New Rule Apply To?
The OSHA heat safety standard would apply to all employers working in outdoor and indoor heat environments in all general industries, construction, maritime, and agriculture sectors where OSHA has jurisdiction. The proposed requirements are the same for employees who work indoors or outdoors and are expected to affect workplaces from farm fields to warehouses to kitchens.
Who’s Not Covered By the New OSHA Rule?
The rule does not apply to jobs where workers are unlikely to face heat levels above the initial warning point or where indoor spaces or vehicles are consistently air-conditioned below 80°F. As a general rule, office temperature and humidity are matters of human comfort. OSHA has no regulations specifically addressing temperature and humidity in an office setting.
What is the Hottest Temperature You Can Legally Work In?
A temperature of 80°F triggers the OSHA heat safety requirements. When the combined heat and humidity reaches 80°F, employers must provide water and rest breaks. If the heat index climbs to 90°F, stricter rules apply. Employers must offer paid 15-minute rest breaks every two hours and monitor workers for heat illness symptoms.
What is Heat Acclimatization?
The United States is massive geographically, with many regions within the US having their own varying degrees of heat intensity. As a result, people in different areas experience heat stress at various thresholds.
Heat Acclimatization refers to an individual’s gradual heat tolerance, or the ability to adapt to hot environments over time. Athletes in zones with higher temperatures tend to acclimatize faster than those in cooler zones. The best way to acclimatize to the heat is to increase the workload performed in a hot setting gradually over a period of 1–2 weeks.
What are the Proposed Requirements for Identifying Heat Hazards?
For Outdoor work and heat conditions:
- Tracking local heat index (i.e., temperature and humidity) forecasts, or
- Measuring heat index or wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT)
For Indoor work conditions:
- Identifying work areas with hazardous heat exposure –
- Developing and implementing a monitoring plan for these work areas by measuring heat index or WBGT
- Seeking employee input in developing and updating the monitoring plan
What are the Proposed Requirements at or Above The Initial Heat Triggers?
Here are the proposed requirements based on the heat triggers:
- Initial heat trigger: A heat index of 80°F or a WBGT equal to the NIOSH Recommended Alert Limit (RAL)
- High heat trigger: A heat index of 90◦ F or a WBGT equal to the NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit (REL)
Initial Heat Triggers:
- Drinking water that is suitably cool, with at least 1 quart per employee per hour
- Outdoor break areas with shade OR air-conditioning, if an enclosed space
- Indoor break areas with air-conditioning OR increased air movement, and, if appropriate,
- de-humidification
- Indoor work area controls such as fans or comparable natural ventilation, and, if
- appropriate, dehumidification OR air-conditioning OR controls for radiant heat sources
- Acclimatization plan for the first week of work for new and returning employees
- Rest breaks if needed (paid)
High Heat Triggers:
- Paid Breaks: Employees must get a 15-minute paid break every two hours. Unpaid lunch breaks can also count as a break.
- Watch for Warning Signs: Supervisors or designated heat safety coordinators will keep an eye on workers for signs of heat illness. A buddy system can also be used.
- Stay Connected: Workers who are alone on the job must check in with someone every two hours.
- Know the Plan: Everyone needs to know about drinking water, taking breaks, and what to do in an emergency.
Why Has OSHA Chosen WBGT? How is it Better Than the Heat Index?
The military, OSHA, college and high school athletic departments and many other activities associations already use the WBGT as a guide to manage workloads or strenuous activity levels based on what the heat feels like.
Heat index doesn’t account for factors like sunlight, wind, and individual differences. As a result, it doesn’t match real-world conditions, especially for physical activities performed by athletes.
Unlike heat index, Wet Bulb Globe Temperature offers a more realistic and in-depth assessment of what the heat feels like. WBGT as a metric takes into account factors like direct sunlight, water vapor capacity, and cloud coverage, making it the best metric to track the effects of heat stress on the human body. If you work or exercise in direct sunlight, this is a good element to monitor.
Learn more about the differences between WBGT and Heat Index here.
How Do The New OSHA Heat Safety Rules Impact Workers?
The new federal heat safety standard aims to minimize occupational risk factors, including heavy physical activity, hot and humid environmental conditions, and wearing clothing that traps body heat. The proposed standard aims to address the numerous acute health effects of occupational exposure to hazardous heat. These include, among other things, heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat syncope, and physical injuries (e.g., falls) due to fatigue or other heat-related impairments.
If mandated, OSHA estimates that the rule would affect approximately 36 million workers and significantly reduce heat injuries, illnesses, and deaths in the workplace. So far, OSHA’s efforts to protect workers have been limited to issuing optional guidance urging employers to provide water, rest and shade for laborers. Here is how the new federal heat safety rules could potentially impact workers:
- Increased Safety and Reduced Risk: Heat illness prevention plans and policies offer a structured approach to managing heat stress. These measures significantly reduce the risk of heatstroke, dehydration, and other heat-related illnesses, promoting overall worker well-being.
- Improved Health and Productivity: By preventing heat stress, workers can maintain optimal physical performance throughout the workday. This translates to increased productivity, less fatigue, and improved efficiency, reducing lost workdays due to heat-related illnesses.
- Reduced Work Disruptions: By proactively managing heat stress, these regulations aim to minimize work stoppages due to extreme heat-related illnesses like heat stroke.
How do the New Heat Safety Rules Impact On-Site Monitoring and Outdoor Workers?
The newly proposed OSHA heat safety regulations place a strong emphasis on on-site monitoring to protect outdoor workers from heat-related illnesses. Employers will be required to implement robust heat injury and illness prevention plans (HIIPP), including temperature monitoring at the worksite.
Accurate on-site monitoring of WBGT (Wet Bulb Globe Temperature) and heat index is crucial for protecting outdoor workers from heat-related illnesses. Unlike the heat index, WBGT is specifically designed for outdoor work environments.
Regular WBGT checks are crucial for making informed decisions about adjusting work schedules, rest breaks, hydration, and other heat-related precautions. This proactive approach aligns with OSHA’s new heat safety regulations and demonstrates a commitment to worker well-being.
How To Meet OSHA’s Latest Heat Safety Guidelines
Many states have their own workplace safety rules that are approved by OSHA. Some of these state rules cover hazards that federal OSHA rules don’t. Implementing new heat safety regulations might present operational challenges for some organizations. Scheduling adjustments to accommodate mandatory breaks and potentially altering work practices during peak heat hours could require changes to workflow and budgeting.
However, these challenges are outweighed by the long-term benefits. By investing in worker safety through proper heat stress mitigation strategies, organizations can witness improvements in employee morale, productivity, and overall performance.
To comply with the upcoming regulations, organizations must proactively enhance their heat safety protocols. Key steps include:
1. Monitor Heat Stress Levels with the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT)
- The heat safety plan should outline procedures for monitoring heat stress levels using the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index.
- Define specific actions to be taken based on WBGT readings, like mandatory water breaks, adjustments to work schedules, and relocation of tasks to cooler areas.
- Include protocols for identifying signs and symptoms of heat stress in workers and providing first aid or emergency medical response.
- Implement cooling systems like air conditioning and improve ventilation.
2. Implement Heat Acclimatization Programs:
Workers who haven’t spent time in warm or hot environments will need time to acclimatize or build tolerance to the heat.
- This involves gradually increasing workload and exposure time in hot conditions, especially for new hires or workers returning from breaks.
- This allows workers to physically adapt and reduces their risk of heat stress.
- Create training programs to educate employees on the importance of acclimatization and proper hydration practices.
3. Provide Adequate Hydration and Shade:
- Ensure readily available, cool, potable water for all workers throughout the workday.
- Adjust work schedules and workloads by reducing strenuous tasks.
- Encourage frequent water breaks.
- Provide shaded areas for rest breaks and whenever possible, relocate tasks to shaded areas during peak heat hours.
- Consider providing cooling vests or towels for additional heat mitigation.
4. Provide Heat Safety Training to Supervisors and Workers:
- Train supervisors on recognizing signs and symptoms of heat stress, implementing the HIPP, and providing first aid.
- Educate workers on the dangers of heat stress, proper hydration techniques, and how to stay cool on the job.
- Encourage open communication, allowing workers to report any concerns about heat stress to supervisors.
5. Monitor and Adapt:
- Use an on-site wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) meter. WBGT incorporates temperature, humidity, sunlight, and air movement into a single measurement.
- Regularly monitor WBGT readings and adjust work practices accordingly.
- Implement a system for receiving real-time weather updates and heat advisories.
- Prepare to modify work schedules or relocate tasks indoors if heat stress levels become dangerous.
- Continuously review and improve the HIPP based on experience and feedback.
Additional Considerations:
- Risk Assessment and Planning: Organizations should conduct thorough risk assessments to identify heat hazards and develop comprehensive heat illness prevention plans tailored to their specific work environments.
- Infrastructure Improvements: Investing in infrastructure and technology that mitigates heat exposure, such as weather monitoring devices, shaded areas, cooling stations, and improved ventilation in indoor workspaces, is essential.
- Policy Enforcement: Regular monitoring and enforcement of heat safety policies are crucial. Employers should prepare for increased inspections and ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements.
- Invest in personal protective equipment (PPE) designed for hot weather conditions, like breathable clothing and wide-brimmed hats.
- Explore technological solutions like heat stress monitors to provide real-time data on worker well-being.
Investing in reliable heat safety monitoring solutions like Perry Weather can help organizations create a safer environment for workers.
How Can Perry Weather Help Meet the Federal Heat Safety Standard?
Perry Weather goes beyond basic weather monitoring and offers features specifically designed for occupational safety, on-site monitoring, and OSHA compliance:
- Automated Alerts: Perry Weather delivers real-time warnings when WBGT reaches critical levels, allowing you to adjust schedules to prioritize worker safety. Respond quickly to changing weather conditions with automated alerts.
- Custom Policies: Easily comply with the latest OSHA guidelines with Perry Weather’s customizable policy-based alerts, so your staff always stays in compliance.
- Historical Data Tracking: Perry Weather automates the process of monitoring Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) by recording its values every 15 minutes, eliminating the need for manual note-taking or logging.
- Precise On-Site Data: Get accurate site-specific heat index and WBGT data, with precise heat stress information for both indoor and outdoor workers in your team.
- Dedicated Meteorologist Support: Perry Weather’s team of meteorologists is here to help you understand WBGT data and implement effective heat safety protocols.
With Perry Weather, organizations can comply with the latest federal heat safety mandate and simplify worker heat stress safety monitoring.
Conclusion
While complying with the new regulations may require initial adjustments, the long-term benefits are undeniable. OSHA’s proposed rule would substantially reduce the risk posed by hazardous heat by setting the measures necessary to protect workers.
By embracing OSHA’s heat safety regulations as an opportunity for positive change, organizations can rely on weather safety platforms like Perry Weather to keep workers safe and ensure OSHA compliance along with effective heat stress mitigation and on-site weather monitoring in the years to come.
