Staying Safe in the Heat: Essential Tips for Hot Weather Safety

Are New Federal Heat Safety Rules Coming?

The federal government is taking a closer look at one of the most urgent yet underregulated workplace hazards in the U.S.—excessive heat. With extreme temperatures on the rise and heat-related illnesses spiking across sectors, OSHA is moving toward implementing new national standards to protect workers. 

The time to prepare isn’t when the rules are finalized—it’s right now.

Heat Exposure: A Growing Threat to Worker Safety

Heat is already the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States, and the numbers are staggering. Between 2011 and 2022, nearly 500 workers died from heat exposure, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Another 34,000 suffered heat-related injuries over the past decade. OSHA believes the actual number is much higher, due to widespread underreporting.

In response, OSHA has already conducted over 5,000 heat-related inspections in the past year—more than 100 of which were triggered by a death or other catastrophic event. Now, federal regulators are holding public hearings to determine how to best move forward.

Among the most debated proposed rules is a mandatory 15-minute break every two hours when the temperature reaches certain thresholds. Critics argue a one-size-fits-all rule won’t work across different climates or industries, while worker advocates stress the life-saving potential of proactive intervention.

What This Means for Safety Teams

Whether OSHA finalizes the rule this year or next, one thing is certain: safety professionals should act now to put preventive measures in place. Heat illness is preventable—but only when organizations have real-time visibility and control.

Real-Time Heat Alerts with EHS Insight

Managing heat stress on the job site doesn’t have to be reactive. With EHS Insight’s built-in weather monitoring and notification system, organizations can detect dangerous conditions and respond before it becomes a problem.

Here’s how it works:

• Customizable Heat Index & Temperature Alerts: Set up alerts for specific temperature or heat index ranges—tailored to your company’s policies or based on National Weather Service (NWS) Heat Index Guidance.
  
  For example:
  
  
  • 80–91°F: Caution – Consider water breaks and reduced exertion.
    
    
  • 91–103°F: Extreme Caution – Enforce regular hydration and rest.
    
    
  • 103–115°F: Danger – Rotate crews and provide shaded recovery areas.
    
    
  • 115°F+: Extreme Danger – Limit or suspend outdoor operations.
    
    
• Severe Weather Detection by Location: Get real-time alerts for floods, hurricanes, lightning, or any severe weather threat specific to your geography. Whether your crew is in Houston, Phoenix, or Portland, Maine, EHS Insight listens to the National Weather Service and delivers location-specific push notifications.
  
  
• Multi-Channel Notifications: Alerts appear in-app, by email, and via push notification—ensuring workers on the ground, in the field, or on mobile are kept informed instantly.
  
  
• Admin-Controlled Messaging: Customize alert messages with direct instructions for your teams—hydration reminders, emergency action plans (EAPs), or instructions to seek shade—so your people know exactly what to do.
  
  

Stay Ahead of Heat Risk—Before OSHA Makes It Mandatory

Regulations are coming. The only question is when. Smart safety teams are already preparing for increased federal scrutiny, higher enforcement activity, and, most importantly, rising temperatures.

With EHS Insight’s proactive weather monitoring tools, your organization doesn’t just check a compliance box—it takes meaningful action to prevent heat illness, reduce risk, and protect lives.