Biden Admin Proposes Federal Safety Standards to Protect Workers From Heat
Summary from the AllSides News Team
In an attempt to mitigate heat-related hazards for employees, the Biden Administration has proposed new federal safety standards that are expected to affect approximately 36 million workers.
The Details: Under the new proposed rules, employers would be required to provide rest areas, water, and additional precautions to workers when the heat index exceeds 80 degrees. They would also be legally obligated to monitor their workforce for heat-related issues and develop an emergency response plan for treating heat-related illnesses. Violations of the regulations could include fines of up to $16,000 per violation.
For Context: The new labor regulations are part of an extensive proposal by the Department of Labor and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and come as heat-related deaths ticked up from 1,722 in 2022 to 2,302 in 2023 (though a quarter of 2023’s deaths occurred in Maricopa County, Arizona, where temperatures exceeded 100 degrees for more than 100 days). The proposal requires approval from both organizations, and it's currently unclear when these changes will take effect.
How the Media Covered It: Prominently in its coverage, Associated Press (Lean Left bias) highlighted a comment President Biden made “to blast those Republican lawmakers who deny the existence of climate change” and described Hurricane Beryl as “an ominous sign for the summer.” Forbes (Center bias) noted, “There were also five named storms worldwide in May, surpassing the 30-year global average of five,” and also the context on Arizona’s 2023 heat. This summary was developed with the help of AllSides' AI technology.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
Biden proposes new rule to protect 36 million workers from extreme heat
President Joe Biden on Tuesday proposed a new rule to address excessive heat in the workplace, warning — as tens of millions of people in the U.S. are under heat advisories — that high temperatures are the country’s leading weather-related killer.
If finalized, the measure would protect an estimated 36 million U.S. workers from injuries related to heat exposure on the job — establishing the first major federal safety standard of its kind. Those affected by excessive heat in the workplace include farmworkers, delivery and construction workers, landscapers and indoor workers in warehouses, factories...
From the Center
Biden Plans Extreme Heat Protections For Workers—As Temperature Records Fall
The Biden administration plans to require employers to give workers shaded rest areas and water when temperatures soar, part of a proposed rule that comes as temperature records fall nationwide—as some states have prevented local governments from providing similar protections in recent months.
Under proposed regulations for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, employers in the U.S. will be required to monitor their workers and provide access to shade, water and rest breaks, the White House said.
The new protections will be required when the heat index—what the temperature feels like with added humidity—reaches 80...
From the Right
Biden administration proposes new actions to address extreme heat, including worker protections
The Biden administration is announcing new steps to combat extreme heat on Tuesday, including introducing the first federal safety standard addressing excessive heat in the workplace and allocating nearly $1 billion to help communities protect against natural disasters.
The Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is proposing a rule that would enact workplace requirements aiming to protect workers from extreme heat, including requirements for identifying heat hazards, developing heat illness and emergency response plans, providing training to employees and supervisors, and implementing work practice standards such as rest breaks, access to shade...
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