The U.S. Department of Labor previously proposed rules to protect indoor and outdoor workers from extreme heat hazards. Now, a group of 77 members of the House of Representatives are urging the United States Postal Service (USPS) to immediately implement these workplace heat standards.
The call for action comes in the wake of a tragic incident in June, where a North Carolina USPS letter carrier died after working in a vehicle without air conditioning in 95-degree weather. This marks the fifth heat-related death among USPS employees since 2018.
The DOL’s proposed rules aim to address health risks associated with excessive workplace heat, including heat stroke and death. The proposed rule requires employers to develop a Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Plan (HIPP) for managing heat risks. This plan includes provision for drinking water, rest breaks, and heat control measures, training, and immediate response procedures for heat-related illnesses.
While the standards outlined in the DOL’s proposed rule are currently optional, USPS is still obligated to protect its workers from extreme heat. Adopting these standards would help ensure that the Postal Service meets its duty to safeguard employees from heat-related risks.
The topic of heat protections continues to trend, especially as the effects of climate change continue to be discussed in workers’ comp. California recently adopted indoor heat protections, while states like Maryland, New Jersey, and Rhode Island introduced proposed legislation, though Texas and Florida placed limits on heat protections.
Research data from WCRI and the New York State Insurance Fund found injury frequency to increase with greater temperatures
