OSHA Declines to Issue Rule Protecting Workers From Heat

[xchrom]

http://www.inthesetimes.com/working/entry/13516/as_record_temperatures_hit_us_osha_declines_to_issue_rule_protecting_worker/

As high temperature records are broken across the United States, health and public safety advocates are calling on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to finally issue a rule protecting workers from extreme heat. In 1972, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommended a heat standard, but OSHA has still failed to implement it. With global warming likely to make heat related deaths more common, public safety advocates say OSAH must act immediately.

“Some farm workers and construction workers work for hours on end and there are no accommodations for rest breaks. This is what commonly leads to heat deaths” says Dr. Sammy Almashat, a researcher with Public Citizen’s Health Research Group. “We are asking for rest breaks in proportion to the temperature outside as well as employers being required to provide workers with a certain amount of water every hour. This does not require some sort of a technological breakthrough. It’s very easy and inexpensive.”

The failure of OSHA to adopt a heat standard has left many workers unprotected. According to Public Citizen, 563 workers have died from heat-related injuries and 46,000 have suffered serious injuries in the last 20 years.

“These deaths are completely preventable with just a few, inexpensive interventions, some of which have already been implemented in several states,” says Dr. Thomas Bernard, who reviewed a proposed NIOSH heat standard back in 1986. “The time is long overdue for a federal heat stress standard that will protect workers from dangerous heat exposure.”

[Sherman A1]

1. It's because Human Capital

is considered expendable.

[leftyohiolib]

2. i called them once to inquire about heat restrictions b/c the company i work for said we couldnt run

the trucks to run the ac. when this vehicle is parked and locked up the temps inside can reach 140 -150 degrees. when we return to the trucks to use the laptop get supplies do paperwork or go to the next job we have to sit in this oven to do the work. the company says the company vehicle is not to be used for your personal comfort. osha told me they have no guide lines for heat. i asked them about using the truck in the winter, we cant run the truck to use the heater either, they said the have no guide lines for that either.

[frylock]

3. assholes sitting in the comfort of their climate controlled office write these BS policies