New OSHA Rule to Shield Workers from Extreme Heat
In response to rising temperatures and increasing heat-related illnesses, the U.S. Department of Labor has proposed a new rule to protect workers from extreme heat. This regulation mandates that employers develop a Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Plan, aiming to mitigate heat hazards in workplaces, both indoors and outdoors.
Employers will be required to evaluate heat risks and implement safeguards, including providing drinking water, rest breaks, and temperature controls. The rule also includes specific provisions for workers not accustomed to high heat.
Upon publication in the Federal Register, the public can submit comments, and OSHA plans to hold a public hearing. This proposed regulation builds on OSHA’s National Emphasis Program on heat safety, which has been in place since April 2022 but lacks enforceable guidelines.
But the new rule does outline criteria for monitoring and mitigating hazardous heat conditions. When temperatures become dangerous, employers must provide at least one quart of potable, cool drinking water per employee per hour. Additional requirements include designated break areas, personal protective equipment, and acclimatization for new workers.
The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health has praised the proposal, highlighting its importance amid climate change-driven temperature increases. The rule offers a structured approach to fostering workplace safety and responsibility.
Source NBC Connecticut | Sign located inside bus promoting safety in Las Vegas.
AI Surveillance Meets Public Transit
Las Vegas is pioneering the future of public transit security by implementing a full-scale AI surveillance system.
The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada has invested $33 million in this initiative and is deploying ZeroEyes technology across its 400-plus buses.
Designed to detect brandished firearms, the system aims to provide crucial seconds for authorities to respond and potentially prevent violent crimes.
The detection software offers rapid alerts when a gun is detected, focusing on identifying threats rather than lawful concealed carry.
Although experts have suggested acoustic sensors as an alternative, the deployment of ZeroEyes is seen as a significant step in integrating AI into public safety.
Some critics caution about the potential for disguising weapons, but the initiative represents a proactive approach toward leveraging advanced technologies to enhance security — and save lives.
Aftermath of homes from the wildfires in Lahaina.
Wildfire Resilience Takes Center Stage in Construction Practices
In a dramatic bid to shape construction practices, the insurance industry is orchestrating controlled fires to demonstrate the critical need for wildfire-resilient homes.
These staged blazes, conducted in specialized labs and training centers, showcase the catastrophic potential of wildfires, similar to the devastating fire in Lahaina, Hawaii, last August.
With climate change increasing the frequency and intensity of wildfires, insuring homes in certain U.S. regions has become financially untenable. Insurers like State Farm and Allstate have dramatically reduced their presence in wildfire-prone areas, such as California, where fires have ravaged over 220,000 acres this year alone.
In response, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) is advocating for new building standards, emphasizing fire-resistant materials and designs.
At a recent trade show in Anaheim, a fire-resistant structure withstood a controlled blaze, while a conventional one was reduced to ashes, illustrating the effectiveness of these new standards.
Given the $39 billion in wildfire-related losses that insurers faced between 2018 and 2022, retrofitting properties with noncombustible materials is crucial for homeowners to lower insurance premiums and enhance safety.
After all, little prevention now can save you from a financial wildfire later.