The Biden administration’s proposal to require employers to provide cooling measures for workers during extreme heat may be at risk under the incoming Trump administration. While Trump never directly addressed the proposal, many of his Republican allies in Congress criticized the idea, calling it “idiotic” and ignoring the realities of outdoor work.
During Trump’s first term, OSHA halted work on various health regulations, including one that would have prepared the healthcare industry for an airborne pandemic like COVID-19. Although outright killing the heat protection proposal would be challenging due to OSHA regulations, not finalizing the rule could endanger workers’ lives.
Heat-related deaths and injuries have been a significant issue, with at least 815 workers dying between 1992 and 2017. Health advocates warn that as temperatures rise due to global warming, the toll is likely to increase. OSHA has been urged for decades to implement heat standards, and the recent proposal aimed to protect around 35 million workers from extreme heat.
Labor groups are concerned that the progress made may be undone, putting workers at risk. Some states have already taken action to enact their own heat protections, similar to the history of the “right to know” rule, where state-level regulations eventually led to a federal standard in 1983.
While six states currently have heat protections for workers, others are resistant to the idea. Maryland recently implemented heat standards following the death of a sanitation worker due to heat stroke. With the looming threat of climate change and rising temperatures, there may be increased pressure for state and federal action to protect workers from extreme heat.
Overall, the debate over heat protections for workers highlights the intersection of public health, labor rights, and climate change. The decisions made at the federal and state levels can have a significant impact on the safety and well-being of millions of workers exposed to extreme heat conditions. It remains to be seen how the incoming administration will address this critical issue and whether additional measures will be taken to protect workers in the face of rising temperatures.