The Biden administration on Tuesday proposed what it says is the first-ever rule to protect workers from extreme heat, as part of a suite of actions to address extreme weather effects stemming from climate change.
Senior administration officials said the rulemaking from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration at the Labor Department will focus on workers who are both working in heat and are engaged in activities that could raise their core body temperature, covering farmworkers, delivery drivers, construction trade professionals and others.
Employers will be required to develop procedures for preventing and responding to extreme heat, monitor workers when the heat index is above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and meet certain training and record-keeping requirements.
