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Heat emergency, act now! Tell OSHA to protect workers from extreme heat
OSHA has just released a long-overdue proposal for a new rule to better protect workers from the dangers of extreme heat. As summers grow longer and hotter, workers are increasingly at risk for heat stress, heat stroke, kidney failure, respiratory distress, and even heart failure. Heat exposure has also been linked to higher rates of preterm labor and stillbirths, and can dangerously interact with many common medications. Health professionals know that prolonged exposure to extreme heat can be deadly.  Yet too many workers still lack basic protections like regular water breaks, access to shade, and rest periods.

The impacts of extreme heat are not felt equally. Pregnant workers, older adults, and those with chronic conditions face a greater risk of serious illness or death. Workers of color are often disproportionately exposed to dangerously high temperatures, and non-citizen immigrants may have fewer resources to advocate for safer conditions.

 We’ve been waiting over 50 years for a federal heat standard but now we have the chance to make it a reality—and there is no time to waste. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that between 2011 and 2020, more than 33,000 workers suffered heat-related injuries or illnesses, and those numbers are likely underreported. We know the risks, and we cannot afford to wait any longer.

Submit your comments to OSHA today, and help ensure that all workers are protected from the escalating threat of extreme heat.


 

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