In an attempt to mitigate heat-related hazards for employees, the Biden Administration has proposed new federal safety standards that are expected to affect approximately 36 million workers.

The Details: Under the new proposed rules, employers would be required to provide rest areas, water, and additional precautions to workers when the heat index exceeds 80 degrees. They would also be legally obligated to monitor their workforce for heat-related issues and develop an emergency response plan for treating heat-related illnesses. Violations of the regulations could include fines of up to $16,000 per violation.

For Context: The new labor regulations are part of an extensive proposal by the Department of Labor and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and come as heat-related deaths ticked up from 1,722 in 2022 to 2,302 in 2023 (though a quarter of 2023’s deaths occurred in Maricopa County, Arizona, where temperatures exceeded 100 degrees for more than 100 days). The proposal requires approval from both organizations, and it's currently unclear when these changes will take effect.

How the Media Covered It: Prominently in its coverage, Associated Press (Lean Left bias) highlighted a comment President Biden made “to blast those Republican lawmakers who deny the existence of climate change” and described Hurricane Beryl as “an ominous sign for the summer.” Forbes (Center bias) noted, “There were also five named storms worldwide in May, surpassing the 30-year global average of five,” and also the context on Arizona’s 2023 heat. This summary was developed with the help of AllSides' AI technology.