Digging Through the Complexities

Adding to the over 3,000 pages of regulations from the Department of Labor (DOL) in 18 months, OSHA recently released a proposed rule on heat standards. While we have been anticipating this rulemaking for several months, it comes on the heels of U.S. House appropriators discussing the FY 25 DOL appropriations, which includes measures to remove funding for implementation of several of the rules that we have recently been faced with.  

These new heat standards will require employers who fall under the jurisdiction of OSHA to develop and implement a worksite heat injury and illness prevention plan (HIPP). It sets two different heat index triggers, 80 and 90 degrees, where employers will be required to implement control measures.  The proposed rule includes monitoring, training, acclimatizing employees, record keeping, and reporting.  Below is the OSHA published fact sheet on the proposed rule in which the Arizona Farm Bureau will be engaged.  

While this proposed rule is extremely concerning and problematic, especially in states like Arizona, it will have major impacts on agriculture across the U.S.  Not only will it change the way agriculture does business, but it puts the burden on employers while also creating more liability for our farmers and ranchers.  

Later this month there will be a congressional oversight hearing on the proposed rule, where Farm Bureau members will testify about the rulemaking’s impact.