The Biden administration is drafting federal rules to protect workers from extreme heat due to the rising threat of climate change. OSHA plans to publish a proposed heat standard this year, requiring worker protections when temperatures hit certain levels. However, the fate of the rule is uncertain due to potential political changes. Heat is the leading weather-related killer of workers, and thousands are injured every year. Some states have their own worker heat protections, and OSHA is considering a national standard. Congressional Democrats are pushing for legislation to require OSHA to enact temporary standards, but the bill is unlikely to pass in the GOP-controlled House.
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