We are called to protect the dignity of each human person and the rights of workers. We invite you to put your faith and action submit a comment on the OSHA heat rule, demonstrating your support for the protection of workers from dangerous heat conditions and calling
If you have any questions, please contact Katie Brown at katie@nrpe.org.
Learn more about the rule.
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Dear President Biden, Acting Secretary Su, and Assistant Secretary Parker,
As a person of faith, I write to you in strong support of the Biden Administration's recently proposed Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) rule, which would protect an estimated 36 million workers from dangerous heat conditions and substantially reduce heat injuries, illnesses, and even deaths in the workplace.
Our faith prompts us to commit to honoring the dignity and sanctity of all people, and to heed our collective calling to care for God’s Creation. The proposed OSHA heat rule advances both.
Tens of millions of workers – disproportionately low-wage earners, people of color, and immigrants – already suffer for months on end from this dangerous heat. All workers deserve safe working conditions, and must be protected as our climate continues to warm. This rule couldn't come soon enough. It is vitally important that OSHA act now to protect the dignity and safety of workers.
The administration’s proposed Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings rule represents a key step towards creating more just conditions for workers across the country. It will help ensure that employers establish and implement plans to address excessive heat conditions, such as workplace requirements for rest breaks and drinking water, and training on the signs of heat-related illnesses. The rule will prevent numerous avoidable heat-related deaths, injuries, and illnesses, as well as missed work days, across all OSHA-regulated industries.
As a proponent of climate justice and workers rights, I commend the Biden Administration and the Department of Labor for its faithful work on this matter, and urge swift passage and implementation of this rule. While we must address the root of extreme heat – climate change – adaptation measures such as the OSHA rule must also be taken in order to protect the wellbeing and safety of our communities as we face the increasingly dire consequences of climate change and environmental degradation.
Sincerely,
