DOL Addresses Extreme Heat: Beneficial For Construction Industry?
Cohen Seglias construction attorneys Michael McKenna and Joseph Sine shared their thoughts and reactions to the Biden-Harris administration’s press release about the “effects of extreme heat” and its outlined plans for action.
“Like it or not, climate change is here. All you need to do is see what is happening in Phoenix this summer. I understand that we had the hottest July in recorded history, which followed the hottest June. With this new reality comes an equal need to study and protect our workers who are out there physically working. OSHA has always mainly focused on limited areas such as trench protection, fall protection, and confined space entry. There needs to be a focus placed on heat-safety; Both in enforcing the rules that we have, and also determining what new rules are needed.”
— Michael McKenna
“The government’s recent emphasis on heat-related illnesses is a positive for the construction industry, as it will help construction companies protect their workers from suffering the severe consequences of heat exposure, including hospitalizations and deaths. However, with OSHA directing its focus to the implementation and enforcement of heat-related policies, it is essential that contractors revise their safety policies to ensure that they comply with all applicable state and federal heat-related safety requirements. Further, contractors should provide training to their supervisors and employees on their heat-related safety policies and educate employees about the signs of heat exposure to avoid citations from OSHA or worse.”
— Joseph Sine
The DOL intends to “ramp up enforcement of heat-safety violations” in the work place, including construction sites.
A late July press release issued by the Biden-Harris administration expressed concern about the “effects of extreme heat” and outlined plans for action. Specifically, Biden asked the Department of Labor (DOL) to issue the first-ever Hazard Alert for heat. The DOL will also “ramp up enforcement of heat-safety violations” in the work place, including construction sites.
Third Thursday asked regular contributors to offer thoughts and reactions. Are Biden’s goals worthwhile, futile, or unnecessary? Opinions varied considerably. Check out the responses below.
