The U.S. Department of Labor has announced that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) public comment period for its proposed rule to protect workers from extreme heat exposure in indoor and outdoor workplaces has been extended to Jan. 14, 2025.

OSHA’s proposed rule would require employers to develop an injury and illness prevention plan to control heat hazards in the workplace. Among other things, the plan would require employers to evaluate heat risks and — when heat increases risks to workers — implement requirements for drinking water, rest breaks and control of indoor heat. It also would require a plan to protect new or returning workers unaccustomed to working in high heat conditions.

In addition, employers would be required to provide training, have procedures to respond if a worker is experiencing signs and symptoms of a heat-related illness, and take immediate action to help a worker experiencing signs and symptoms of a heat emergency.

As published in the Federal Register on Aug. 30, 2024, the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings had an initial 120-day public comment period scheduled to end on Dec. 30, 2024. OSHA said it has extended the deadline for submitting comments to provide stakeholders more time to review the proposed rule and gather relevant information and data for their input.

“Reducing the dangers of workplace heat exposure and illness is critical to saving lives and preventing workers from suffering needless illnesses,” said Douglas Parker, assistant secretary for occupational safety and health. “This 15-day extension to the already lengthy comment period will take the deadline past the holiday season and help ensure that stakeholders can share valuable insights we need to craft a rule that protects workers from extreme heat indoors and outdoors effectively.”