Sen. Cassidy and Senate Republicans Move to Block Federal Heat Safety Rules for Workers
The Heat Workforce Standards Act of 2026 is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. It was introduced in the Senate and is now being reviewed by the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. There are no upcoming votes scheduled at this time.
This bill is a partisan effort that faces a likely veto and strong opposition from groups that advocate for worker protections.
Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
Gig workers like delivery drivers and rideshare operators often work outdoors in extreme heat without employer-provided protections. By blocking the OSHA heat standard, this bill removes the prospect of mandatory water, shade, and rest break requirements that would have covered many of these workers for the first time at the federal level.
“The Secretary of Labor may not finalize, implement, or enforce the proposed standard titled ``Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings''”
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Senate HELP Committee Chair Bill Cassidy and Sen. Jim Risch introduced legislation to block OSHA from finalizing its heat injury and illness standard. The bill targets a 2024 proposal that would require employers to provide water, shade, and rest breaks during high temperatures.
The Heat Workforce Standards Act of 2026 would prohibit the Labor Department from finalizing or enforcing a pending rule on heat exposure. Supporters argue the rule is 'overly prescriptive' and fails to account for differences between industries and geographic regions.
Eight Republican senators introduced the Heat Workforce Standards Act to stop OSHA from implementing its 2024 'Heat Injury and Illness Prevention' proposal. The bill follows concerns that the federal mandates for rest breaks and safety plans are unworkable for small businesses.
No votes or related bills recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Heat Workforce Standards Act of 2026
Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.