On Jan. 20, President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum instructing all federal agencies to withdraw rules that had not yet been published in the Federal Register and postpone others that had not yet gone into effect. This “Regulatory Freeze Pending Review” halted all ongoing government rulemaking, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s process to establish national workplace heat safety regulations.
Every year, on average, more than 30 workers die of heat-related illnesses, and thousands more are severely injured, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But OSHA says those numbers are likely “vast underestimates.” Advocates such as the United Farm Workers of America union have spent years pushing OSHA to develop a federal heat standard. Last year, OSHA proposed a rule that would require workers to be provided cool drinking water, shade and more rest breaks once the heat index reaches 90 degrees. But Trump’s memo essentially “terminated [or] indefinitely suspended” that rulemaking process, according to John D. Surma, an attorney with Ogletree Deakins.
Antonio De Loera, the UFW’s communications director, says the move is a direct attack on workers:
“I would characterize it as class warfare. It’s rich people sacrificing the lives of working people just so that they can save pennies on the dollar for not providing water, shade or rest breaks.”
In addition to the rulemaking freeze, some elected Republicans are working to further undermine OSHA. Rep. Andy Biggs introduced legislation earlier this year that would completely abolish the agency, likely endangering millions of workers across the country.
