In mid-July, the U.S. Department of Labor proposed rules to protect indoor and outdoor workers from extreme heat hazards. The rules aim to address health risks, such as heat stroke and death, associated with excessive workplace heat.

Now, a group of 77 members of the House of Representatives are urging the United States Postal Service (USPS) to immediately implement workplace heat standards.

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.

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.

While the standards outlined in the 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.