Biden pushes first heat safety rule as US faces heat waves | U.S. & World [Video]

By Timothy Gardner

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The administration of President Joe Biden took steps on Tuesday to protect workers and communities from the deadly effects of extreme heat including proposing the first-ever rule on the matter from the Department of Labor.

WHAT DID THE ADMINISTRATION DO?

The Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is proposing a rule to protect workers, that if finalized, would be the first-ever U.S. safety standard on the matter.

It includes requirements for identifying heat hazards, emergency response plans, training for supervisors, and work standards, including breaks, access to shade and water, and heat acclimatization for new employees.

Farm worker groups had called on the administration to issue heat standards, as agricultural workers are often exposed to high temperatures and can have inconsistent access to shade, water, and breaks.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

The Environmental Protection Agency released a “Climate Indicators” report on Tuesday that said from 1992 to 2022, nearly 1,000 workers in the U.S. …