Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Heat and Hot Environments

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) held a public meeting on February 13, 2014 in Cincinnati, OH to discuss and obtain comments on the draft document, "Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Heat and Hot Environments."

Public comments on the draft document were received for submission to this docket from December 27, 2013 until February 25, 2014. This docket contains the draft document, presentations from the public meeting, and the public comment docket submissions received.

Workers who are exposed to extreme heat or work in hot environments may be at risk of heat stress. Exposure to extreme heat can result in occupational illnesses and injuries. Heat stress can result in heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or heat rashes. Heat can also increase the risk of injuries in workers as it may result in sweaty palms, fogged-up safety glasses, and dizziness. Burns may also occur as a result of accidental contact with hot surfaces or steam. Workers at risk of heat stress include outdoor workers and workers in hot environments such as firefighters, bakery workers, farmers, construction workers, miners, boiler room workers, factory workers, and others.

In 1986, NIOSH published a Criteria Document on hot environments [DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 86-113] which identified many of the effects of heat, provided information on appropriate measuring techniques, and made recommendations for occupational standards, prevention and control. In recent years, including during the oil spill response of 2010, questions were raised regarding whether this document needed to be updated with additional research and findings. Recent literature was reviewed to determine areas that needed updating and revision. The revised draft document can be found below.

To view the notice and related material visit http://www.regulations.gov, enter CDC-2013-0025 in the search field, then click "Search".

Background Information

Final Document: Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Heat and Hot Environments

FR Notice Final: Notice of issuance of final publication – FR Notice

Federal Register Notice: 31066

Draft Document:Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Heat and Hot Environments