Durham, N.C. (July 8, 2025) — As record-breaking daily temperatures and heatwaves strain the country, excessive heat in the workplace has increasingly become a major public health concern. The Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)’s Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Rulemaking promotes critical protections for American workers facing the dangers of heat exposure in the workplace.
Once OSHA creates and proposes new rules — here, known as Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Rulemaking — they have a comment period for members of the public and experts to weigh in.
Southern Coalition for Social Justice, a member of the North Carolina Heat Stress Coalition, commended the rulemaking as a positive first step in addressing heat concerns, but stressed the need for greater equity considerations. Aiswarya Murali, Counsel and Fellow for Environmental Justice at SCSJ, gave oral comments to OSHA on July 1, 2025, and submitted written comments July 7, urging the Administration to take additional measures to ensure protection for marginalized and vulnerable communities.
Murali highlighted that farmworkers, one particularly vulnerable population, include a disproportionately high number of individuals with limited English proficiency, underscoring the critical need for resources and training materials in relevant languages. SCSJ’s comments emphasized a nuanced approach appropriate for the large and diverse workforce population in order to maximize the efficacy of safety and protection.
Read the letter we submitted to OSHA here.
Watch the comments we made at a related public hearing here.
Felecia Phillips Ollie DD (h.c.) is the inspiring leader and founder of The Equality Network LLC (TEN). With a background in coaching, travel, and a career in news, Felecia brings a unique perspective to promoting diversity and inclusion. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in English/Communications, she is passionate about creating a more inclusive future. From graduating from Mississippi Valley State University to leading initiatives like the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program, Felecia is dedicated to making a positive impact. Join her journey on our blog as she shares insights and leads the charge for equity through The Equality Network.
