What You Need to Know About OSHA’s Proposed Heat Rule

It may surprise you to learn that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has never had a nationwide standard for preventing heat-related illness and injury in the workplace – until now. OSHA has recently taken a major step toward protecting workers by proposing a heat injury and illness prevention rule. This standard would apply to both indoor and outdoor workplaces where employees are exposed to high temperatures, and it lays out enforceable requirements for employers.

If finalized, the rule would require employers to implement a Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Program (HIIPP).

This program would include measures such as:

• Providing access to water, rest, and shade
• Setting action thresholds based on temperature and heat index
  • Initial action level: 80°F heat index (employers must begin implementing basic preventative measures)
  • Full program requirements: 87°F heat index (or lower in some cases, such as heavy PPE use or high-exertion work)
• Gradually acclimatizing new or returning employees
• Monitoring workers for signs of heat stress
• Training staff to recognize and respond to symptoms

Unlike physical hazards such as elevated surfaces, machinery, or chemicals (which are often obvious and immediately visible), heat illnesses are more subtle. They can build gradually and go unnoticed until a worker is already in danger. This is what makes them especially perilous. Heat illness can sneak up on workers quickly and escalate to life-threatening conditions.

For this reason, OSHA’s proposal emphasizes the importance of employee training and proactive prevention. Employees must be trained to recognize heat hazards and early warning signs of heat stress, and they must be given sufficient opportunities to stay hydrated, cool down, and recover before symptoms escalate.

Public Comment Period

OSHA held an informal public hearing on this proposed standard from June 16 through July 2, 2025. The post-hearing comment period that was set on July 2, 2025 has been extended by 30 days until October 30, 2025. This extension will allow those who filed a timely Notice of Intention to Appear (NOITA) at the hearing additional time to present relevant information.

Comments may be submitted here.

How Walden Can Help

If you need help evaluating your facility’s compliance status or making sure you are prepared to meet these upcoming requirements, contact Walden’s EHS experts at 860-846-4069. Our team can assist with reviewing workplace conditions, developing required programs, training employees, and more.