Washington, D.C. — 2024 was the hottest year on record nationally and in 17 states. As extreme heat conditions become more frequent and hazardous, paired with the improbability that the Trump administration will provide federal extreme heat protections, it is essential that states take action. States should take this opportunity to adopt and replicate successful models that establish and improve state rules or standards to protect workers from extreme heat. A new Center for American Progress column compares existing state extreme-heat worker protections and recommends measures on how to enhance them.
Some of the recommendations for provisions of extreme heat protections for workers include:
- Injury and illness prevention plans for both indoor and outdoor workers. Heat standards should require that employers develop and implement a written worksite heat injury prevention plan (HIIP) to address heat hazards for both outdoor and indoor workers.
- Identification of heat hazards using WetBulb Globe Temperature (WBGT). Heat standards should link heat triggers to the national WBGT. Unlike the heat index, which includes only temperature and humidity and is measured in the shade, WBGT takes into account temperature, humidity, wind speed, and sun exposure (including solar radiation) in calculating heat.
- Acclimatization period to protect new and returning workers. Heat standards should mandate employers to follow the 20 percent rule of gradually increasing workload and heat exposure to build workers’ heat tolerance.
- Mandatory paid rest breaks. Heat standards should include paid rest breaks to ensure that workers’ health is consistently safeguarded.
- Training and language-accessible training materials. Heat standards should require employers to ensure effective training for employees on acclimatization, recognizing signs of heat illness, and reporting heat illness symptoms.
- Assessment and control measures, including monitoring heat risk using a buddy system. Heat standards should require employers to monitor for signs and symptoms of heat-related illness.
- Emergency response procedures. Heat standards should require that supervisors use effective, accessible means of communication with workers at all times to ensure those suffering from heat illnesses can get treatment quickly.
“As heat waves become more frequent and hazardous, we must keep our workers safe,” said Jill Rosenthal, director of Public Health Policy at CAP and co-author of the column. “Without federal heat protections, it’s up to states to step up and ensure that they are protecting workers by making sure employers create work environments that are safe from heat illnesses, injury, and even death.”
Read the column: “States Must Lead the Way To Protect Workers From Extreme Heat” by Jill Rosenthal and Reema Bzeih
For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Sarah Nadeau at [email protected].