Every summer, thousands of workers risk their lives in dangerous heat. From construction crews to warehouse staff, they face rising temperatures with little to no protection and the federal government still hasn’t acted.

Now, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is finally close to finalizing a national heat safety rule. But industry lobbyists and political pressure are threatening to water it down or stall it altogether.

That’s unacceptable.

Over 33,000 workers suffered serious heat-related injuries in the past decade and countless others didn’t survive. Basic protections like shade, water, rest breaks, and heat response plans shouldn’t be optional.

We want a strong and enforceable national heat protection standard, not a diluted rule that puts business interests over human lives.

Workers can’t wait for another heat wave or another death to see action.

[Photo credit: Labor research Department]