OSHA Proposes First Federal Workplace Heat Standard
OSHA today released its proposed standard for Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings. If finalized, this rulemaking would mark the first federal standard requiring employers to create a plan to evaluate and control heat hazards in their workplace.
According to the proposal, the standard would apply to all employers conducting outdoor and indoor work in all general industry, construction, maritime and agriculture sectors, with some exceptions.
Five states currently have heat injury and illness prevention regulations to protect employees exposed to heat hazards in the workplace: Colorado, California, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington.
Elements of the proposed standard are summarized in an agency fact sheet and include the following:
- Training for supervisors, heat safety coordinators and employees;
- Developing and implementing a work site heat injury and illness prevention plan (a written plan must be created for employers with more than 10 employees);
- An initial heat trigger with a heat index of 80°F. When the workplace temperature reaches the initial heat trigger, requirements for employers include providing drinking water, break areas for indoor and outdoor work sites, acclimatization of new and returning employees, paid rest breaks if needed, and more;
- A high heat trigger with a heat index of 90°F. Requirements for employers include giving workers a minimum 15-minute paid rest break at least every two hours, warning signs for excessively high heat areas, and more;
- Two different options for acclimatization procedures for new or returning workers; and
- Additional recordkeeping requirements.
Additionally, workers who are exposed to high temperatures in short duration (i.e., workers who are not exposed to temperatures at or above the initial heat trigger for more than 15 minutes in any 60-minute period), indoor “sedentary” work or work activities performed in indoor work areas or vehicles where air-conditioning consistently keeps the ambient temperature below 80°F, work performed at home or at another remote location, and emergency response workers are exempt from the requirements in the standard.
OSHA is allowing the public to submit feedback in response to the proposal 120 days after its official publication. NAHB is reviewing the proposed rule to analyze its full impact on residential construction and will submit comments in response. If you have any questions or would like to provide feedback on the proposed standard, contact Brad Mannion at [email protected].
NAHB will continue to provide updates on the standard throughout the rulemaking process. To keep your workers safe on the jobsite, see NAHB resources on heat safety, including the Heat Stress video toolbox talk.

Latest from NAHBNow
Jul 02, 2025
From Disaster Relief to Challenging Gas Bans, HBAs are Making a DifferenceNearly two dozen HBAs received Association Excellence Awards for outstanding contributions they made on behalf of their members and communities in 2024.
Jul 01, 2025
One Big Beautiful Bill Act Will Spur Economic GrowthNAHB Chairman Buddy Hughes issued the following statement after the Senate passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Latest Economic News
Jul 02, 2025
Two or More Story Home Starts Rebound in 2024Over half of new single-family homes built in 2024 were two or more stories, according the recent release of the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC). After declining in 2023, the share of homes started with two or more stories increased again in 2024, continuing the upward trend in place since 2020.
Jul 01, 2025
May Private Residential Construction Spending DipsPrivate residential construction spending fell by 0.5% in May, marking the fifth straight month of decreases. This drop was primarily driven by reduced spending on single-family construction. Compared to a year ago, total spending was down 6.7%, as the housing sector continues to navigate the economic uncertainty stemming from ongoing tariff concerns and elevated mortgage rates.
Jul 01, 2025
Flat Job Openings for ConstructionThe count of open, unfilled positions in the construction industry held steady amid a slowdown for housing, per the May Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS).