U.S. Department of Labor Initiates Rulemaking to Protect Workers from Heat

Posted on October 29, 2021 by Sandy Smith

Work-related heat stress is a well-known and largely preventable hazard both indoors and outdoors. OSHA is developing a national emphasis program on heat inspections and launching a rulemaking process to develop a workplace heat standard.

Both indoor and outdoor workers can be exposed to working conditions made hazardous by heat, and this past summer’s record-breaking temperatures have made it impossible for the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to ignore the dangers of work-related heat stress and exposure.

Record-breaking heat in the United States in 2021 endangered millions of workers, exposing them to heat illness and injury in both indoor and outdoor work environments. Workers without adequate climate-controlled environments are at risk of hazardous heat exposure, and workers of color are exposed disproportionately to hazardous levels of heat in essential jobs across these work settings.

In concert with a Biden-Harris admin istration interagency … Read more...

CDC’s Anthrax Scare, EPA’s Proposal to Reduce Greenhouse Gases, Benefits of Green Buildings, and more on EHS This Week!

Posted on July 18, 2014 by Nicola DCunha

On this week’s edition of EHS This Week we’ve got the week’s top stories in environment, health and safety news:

CDC’s recent biosafety incidents cause concern
Solutions for employees at risk of heat stress
EPA releases new SNAP proposal to reduce HFC emissions
Studies show green workplaces boost employee engagement
OSHA offers new demolition safety resources

Remember to write us with your suggestions, questions and comments. Also, if you are an industry expert and ever want to take part in the program, we’d love to have you.

Until next week, enjoy the program!

EHS This Week Resources
For more information on the stories and resources mentioned in this week’s podcast, check out the links below.

CDC Director Releases After-Action Report on Recent Anthrax Incident. Read the press release here.
Report on the Potential Exposure to Anthrax. Read the full CDC report here.
ISEA’s List of Heat Stress Solutions.