Biden administration announces new rule to protect workers from heat-related illnesses • Idaho Capital Sun

WASHINGTON — Senior Biden administration officials announced a proposed rule Tuesday aimed at preventing heat-related illnesses in the workplace as climate change drives higher temperatures across the country.

In a call with reporters Monday, officials explained the background to the new rule, which the administration sent to the Federal Register for review Tuesday. Depending on the heat index, the rule would require employers to monitor workers’ exposure to heat, provide cooling zones and take mandatory breaks to cool down.

The new rule comes as extreme temperatures are set to hit much of the country at some point this year. Heat waves are more frequent now than in the 1960s, rising from an average of two per year to six in the 2020s, according to data from the Environmental Protection Agency. Heat waves have also increased in duration and intensity.

Officials also pointed to record heat waves in June, high temperatures forecast for the July 4 holiday and above-average temperatures predicted for July.

The rule would apply to 35 million workers whose job responsibilities involve working in hot conditions and performing activities that can raise their body temperature. That includes construction, agriculture and landscaping workers, as well as those who work in indoor environments, such as kitchen workers, who are exposed to heat indices of 80 degrees or higher.

An important aspect of the proposed regulations concerns acclimatization requirements. New workers or workers returning to work who are not accustomed to heat levels must be given a gradual increase in workload or a 15-minute break every two hours.

According to a senior administration official, 75% of workers who die on the job from heat-related illnesses die within the first week. The rule would “dramatically reduce the number of worker-related deaths, injuries and illnesses,” the official said.

In addition to the new rule, administration officials announced $1 billion in funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for 93 different communities and tribal nations. That includes $50 million for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for stormwater pumping to mitigate flooding and $6 million for Greensboro, North Carolina, for floodwater drainage improvements.

Through FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, funding will be used to develop infrastructure that is better prepared to withstand extreme weather events.

Officials have stressed that increasing wildfires, hurricanes and floods are a growing concern for Americans.

“In addition to posing direct threats to lives and livelihoods, major weather events have significant economic impacts,” one official said.

Another senior administration official said the measures are part of President Joe Biden’s broader commitment to strengthening the country against the growing threats of climate change.

“We are taking action, bold action, historic action and action that makes a real, meaningful, visible difference on the ground,” the official said.