Biden backs new proposed federal standards to protect workers from extreme heat

Arizona is no stranger to high temperatures, but many experts say last year’s record-shattering summer is only the beginning.

With the hottest June on record now behind us, President Joe Biden announced Tuesday that he’s proposing new federal standards for workers.

Biden pointed to the above-average temperatures states like Arizona have been seeing for months.

“I quite frankly think it’s not only outrageous, it’s really stupid,” he said. “Everyone who willfully denies the impacts of climate change is condemning the American people to a dangerous future. And either is really, really dumb or has some other motive.”

If finalized, the Department of Labor’s latest proposed rule is expected to help roughly 36 million workers reduce or avoid heat injuries, illnesses, and deaths at work

“Extreme heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States,” said Biden. “More people die from extreme heat than floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes combined.”

The new measures will help better protect people on the job in- and outdoors.

“This includes things like developing response plans to heat illness,” Biden said. “Training employees and supervisors, implementing rest breaks, access to shade and water.”

Despite a recent investment in projects partially dedicated to combating extreme heat, advocates continue to push the Federal Emergency Management Agency to classify extreme heat and wildfire smoke as major disasters.