Gallego Calls for Federal Workplace Heat Safety Standards

PHOENIX, AZ – This week, Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) joined Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Rep. Greg Casar (TX-35), and 109 bicameral Members of Congress in calling on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to implement a federal workplace heat standard as quickly as possible. There are currently no federal laws that specifically protect workers from extreme heat.

“This record-breaking heat is dangerous for all Arizonans, but especially for those who work outside,” said Rep. Gallego. “As this type of extreme heat becomes more common, we need nationwide workplace safety standards, so employers know their obligations and workers know their safety rights when it comes to heat.”

“All workers need a safe work environment. Ohioans shouldn’t have to risk their health in extreme heat to provide for their families,” said Sen. Brown. “OSHA must create national standards and protections to keep workers safe on the job, as the risks of heat stress increase.”

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are the most common heat-related illnesses workers are facing, but in Arizona, temperatures have gotten so high emergency rooms are also seeing people with significant burns from falling on scorching asphalt.

The letter urges Acting U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Julie Su and Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Douglas L. Parker to establish an enforceable federal standard to ensure workers and employers can recognize and respond to the signs of heat stress. The standard should require employers to provide the following:

• adequate hydration;
• rest breaks;
• areas for rest breaks that are shaded (in the case of outdoor work) or air-conditioned (in the case of indoor work);
• medical services and training to address signs and symptoms of heat-related illness; and
• a plan for acclimatization to high-heat work conditions.

Full text of the letter can be found here.

Earlier this week, Gallego called on House leadership to pass emergency funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program to lower AC costs for Arizonans. In addition, Gallego has introduced the Extreme Heat Emergency Act to add extreme heat to FEMA’s list of major disaster qualifying events and the Excess Urban Heat Mitigation and SHADE Acts to help keep communities cool through tree planting, shade structures, cool roof and pavement technology, and more.