Introduced by U.S. Rep. Mark Messmer (R-Ind.), the bill prevents the Biden-Harris proposed heat injury and illness prevention standard from taking effect. It also prohibits future administrations from issuing similarly burdensome one-size-fits-all regulations, elected officials said.

“In the last months of the Biden-Harris administration, OSHA proposed an overly burdensome, one-size-fits-all standard for heat-related injury and illness prevention,” said U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), committee chairman, in a news release.

OSHA officials first introduced the initiative in 2022, proposing new rules that required employers to evaluate and control heat hazards in both indoor and outdoor workplaces. If passed, employers would be required to have a site-specific heat injury and illness prevention plan; implement control measures if temperatures exceeded an initial 80°F threshold; and follow even more robust measures if temperatures exceeded 90°F.

The requirements included providing employees with cool drinking water, rest breaks in the shade, fans for indoor heat, and easing new workers into hot environments over a period of days. The standard also requires regular training for workers and supervisors on the signs of heat stress, reporting, and emergency response.

Opponents, including some roofing associations and leaders, argued that safety regulations related to heat should be mandated by state authorities within the local climate zone.

OSHA published its proposed rule in the Federal Register in August 2024 and took public comment through January 2025. It extended the post-hearing comment period into late October, and never provided a timeline for when a final rule will be issued. That allowed members of the committee the opportunity to address it via legislation.

Messmer argued that the standard will place a significant financial strain on small businesses, and that some of the required measures are impractical for certain industry sectors and jobs. If passed, the standard will apply to general industry, construction, maritime, and agriculture sectors where OSHA has jurisdiction.

“It’s not fair to propose a one-size-fits-all federal mandate that applies to very disparate industries, climates and workplace environments,” Messmer said.

Supporters of the heat standard said the legislation endangered workers exposed to extreme shifts in climate.

“The committee is marking up legislation that actively makes workers less safe on the job while exposed to extreme heat,” Rep. John Mannion (D-NY) said. Mannion also stressed that the bill not only seeks to prohibit the current proposed standard but also prevents OSHA from implementing any similar standard in the future. 

“Let’s be clear on exactly what we’re talking about here and what the majority objects to: Simply, that employers have a plan in place to protect workers from excessive heat,” Mannion continued. “That includes things like drinking water, rest breaks in the shade and fans to control indoor heat. Basic standards around occupational heat exposure are just commonsense measures to keep workers safe.”

It’s unclear when the bill will be voted on.