With summer in full swing, employers should remain aware of employee safety risks associated with heat stress. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration continues work on a heat exposure safety standard after announcing its intent to promulgate rules in October 2021. The agency recently scheduled small business advocacy panel meetings to review the impact of heat exposure rules on small businesses.

In the meantime, OSHA can cite employers for heat exposure risks under the General Duty Clause. OSHA previously implemented a National Emphasis Program for inspections relating to worker heat exposure. The agency released guidelines for employers on determining when indoor or outdoor conditions merit precautionary measures, as well as recommendations for implementing a heat stress program.

Employers should incorporate heat exposure prevention into their overall safety programs. This may give such companies a head start for complying with the eventual nationwide safety regulations.

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