OSHA Heat Stress Standards

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets and enforces standards to ensure safe and healthy working conditions for employees. Their broad mandate applies to various issues, including heat-related illnesses, injuries, and deaths.

While the agency has yet to adopt a heat-specific regulation, employers should comply with the general duty clause and other applicable standards. Moreover, some states have OSHA-approved plans with mandatory requirements. Learn about the OSHA standards for heat stress and updates on the upcoming legislation.

What Is Heat Stress?

Heat stress occurs when workers are exposed to extreme heat, disrupting the proper regulation of internal temperatures. A rise in temperature can increase the heart rate, causing the person to lose concentration. This can lead to occupational injuries and illnesses, so it’s essential to take precautions.

OSHA has developed the National Emphasis Program (NEP) to address issues concerning employees working in hot environments. The NEP applies to indoor and outdoor operations. It encourages employers to implement plans to prevent workers from contracting heat-related illnesses. Employers can, among other things, provide employees with access to water, shade, acclimatization procedures, and training to enhance safety.

Examples of Heat-Related Illnesses

Exposing workers to extreme heat can cause several illnesses, such as:

• Heat stroke: This is one of the most severe heat-related illnesses. It occurs when the body cannot control its temperature, causing a rapid increase. Temperatures can rise above 106 degrees Fahrenheit within 10-15 minutes and can cause permanent disability or death unless emergency treatment is given. Symptoms of heat stroke include confusion, loss of consciousness, profuse sweating, extremely high body temperatures, and seizures.
• Heat exhaustion: This is the body’s response to severe salt and water loss, typically through excessive sweating. The condition is most likely to affect people working in hot environments, older people, and those with high blood pressure. Heat exhaustion can cause headaches, dizziness, and weakness.
• Heat Syncope: Heat syncope is a fainting (syncope) episode or dizziness that usually occurs when standing for too long or suddenly standing up after sitting or lying. Factors that may contribute to heat syncope include dehydration and lack of acclimatization.
• Rhabdomyolysis: Also known as rhabdo, rhabdomyolysis causes muscles to rapidly break down, rupture, and die. Dead muscle tissues can release electrolytes and large proteins into the bloodstream, which can cause seizures, irregular heart rhythms, and kidney damage.
• Heat cramps: Workers who sweat excessively during laborious activities can get heat cramps. The sweat reduces the body’s moisture and salt levels, causing painful muscle cramps. Heat cramps are also a potential symptom of heat exhaustion.
• Heat rash: Excessive sweating during hot, humid weather can cause a skin irritation called heat rash. Common symptoms include small blisters or red clusters of pimples around the neck, groin, upper chest, elbow creases, and under the breasts.

Is There an OSHA Standard for Heat Stress?

OSHA does not have a specific standard for heat stress, but the general duty clause still applies. Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) mandates employers to ensure workplaces are free from recognized hazards that can cause serious physical harm or death. This requirement extends to heat stress and similar conditions.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has issued a recommended standard for heat stress in workplaces. The document is comprehensive and covers diverse areas, including:

• Control of heat stress: The NIOSH criteria encourages employers to implement engineering and administrative controls to reduce workplace heat stress. Engineering controls relate to workplace designs, such as increasing air velocity and reducing steam leaks. Administrative controls are changes to schedules or tasks, such as limiting time spent in the heat and monitoring conditions.
• Training: The recommended standard prompts employers to provide training tailored to workplace conditions. The program should be available to all workers and supervisors, covering areas like recognizing symptoms and signs, causes of heat-related illnesses, and measures to reduce risks.
• Hydration: The NIOSH recommendation stipulates that employers should provide workers with appropriate hydration. This requirement includes supplying potable water that is accessible near the work area and encouraging workers to stay hydrated.
• Acclimatization: A gradual increase or repeated exposure to hot environments can cause beneficial physiological adaptations. Thus, the NIOSH criteria recommend gradually increasing workers’ time in hot conditions over 7-14 days. The schedule could vary between new workers and those with previous experience.
• Rest breaks: The recommended standards require employers to encourage workers to take rest breaks to hydrate and cool down. Again, employers should assign new and unacclimatized workers tasks that are less demanding and require longer and more frequent rest periods.

These guidelines aim to promote safe and healthy working conditions in hot environments.

New OSHA Heat Stress Standard Update

In November 2023, OSHA concluded the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) process, which included convening a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) panel. The SBAR solicited feedback and insight from small entity representatives (SERs) on the potential impact of a standard specific to occupational heat. This step enabled OSHA to develop a proposed rule based on the recommendations of the SBAR report, additional research, and public input.

OSHA presented the initial regulatory framework to the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health on April 24, 2024. The committee unanimously recommended that OSHA continue the rule-making process. In the meantime, OSHA is educating employers and workers regarding compliance with the general duty clause and other applicable regulations. OSHA is still conducting heat-related inspections under the NEP.

New OSHA Heat Standard Expectations

While OSHA continues working on the new occupational heat standards, the requirements will likely reflect the NIOSH guidelines and public suggestions. An ideal OSHA standard for heat stress would accommodate:

1. Training programs
2. Illness reporting
3. Environmental monitoring
4. Administrative and engineering controls
5. Personal protective equipment (PPE) utilization

Employers and safety professionals should stay informed and provide employees with the resources to address concerns.

State-Specific OSHA-Approved Plans

Some states have OSHA-approved plans to protect workers against work-related illnesses, injuries, and deaths. Currently, 22 State Plans cover the private sector and state and local government workers, with seven covering only state and local government workers. California, Colorado, Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington have specific standards for heat-related illnesses.

The requirements vary by jurisdiction but maintain core standards like employee and supervisor training, acclimatization, and emergency response plans. OSHA works closely with the various state agencies to ensure compliance. Employers must know their responsibilities and implement the necessary measures to avoid legal sanctions.

Other Related OSHA Heat Stress Standards

Employers and safety professionals must comply with related standards under the OSHA rules, including:

1. The PPE standard
2. The medical services and first-aid standards
3. The recordkeeping regulation
4. The sanitation standards
5. The safety training and education standards

These standards generally apply to workplace safety and impact heat-related issues, as well.

Learn More from The National Association of Safety Professionals

NASP provides workplace safety training to general industry, construction, higher education, oil and gas, and government agencies. We also offer professional certifications to enhance compliance. Our team adopts practical techniques to meet specific needs while adhering to regulatory demands and industry best practices.

NASP is ready to support and provide the relevant resources to empower your workforce. Want to learn more about the OSHA heat stress standards? Contact us now!