OSHA has a proposed heat injury prevention rule that would make 80F (heat index) and 90F (optionally 95F, heat index) as initial and high heat trigger temperatu

OSHA has a proposed heat injury prevention rule that would make 80F (heat index) and 90F (optionally 95F, heat index) as initial and high heat trigger temperatures. With the initial heat temperature, workers would need to be provided water and a break area that's shaded or air conditioned (it can also have a fan but employers must evaluate that the fan is used at the appropriate temperature and humidity and not cooking or dehydrating people). Interestingly the CDC warns not to use fans above 90F, which is much lower than the ~102F limit OSHA suggests. [1][2][3] With high heat temperature, 15 minute breaks in the cooling area are required every 2 hours along with some buddy system/monitoring requirements. [4] The notice of proposed rulemaking has a wealth of interesting study citations for risks (including kidney health issues) and risk reduction but it's a lot to even skim through. I think a systematic review they cited suggested "hats; loose fitting, light/brightly colored/reflective, breathable, clothing; ventilation patches in PPE" for optimal clothing. But I do wonder if optimal clothing might vary based on temperature and humidity. As a Louisianian, I don't know how the roofers do it. Sometimes it's so hot and humid it's rough to breathe outside just standing doing nothing. [1] https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2024-14824/p-2907 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2024-14824/p-2907 [2] https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2024-14824/p-596 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2024-14824/p-596 [3] https://www.cdc.gov/heat-health/about/index.html https://www.cdc.gov/heat-health/about/index.html [4] https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2024-14824/p-2932 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2024-14824/p-2932