Nevada’s New Heat Safety Rule: What You Need to Know

Following a surge in heat-related complaints and workplace injuries, Nevada OSHA has created a new heat stress standard to safeguard employees working in both indoor and outdoor environments. This regulation, set to take effect in 2025, requires employers to adopt specific measures to prevent and respond to heat-related risks.

The new regulation will take effect 90 days after guidance is published on the Nevada OSHA website, with enforcement beginning shortly after. The state aims for full implementation by summer 2025, in time to address peak heat risks.

Let’s explore the key aspects of this rule, its origins, the interplay with federal OSHA efforts and how safety teams can proactively adapt.

What Sparked Nevada’s Heat Rule?

Rising temperatures have increased the need for more heat safety regulations.

The push for Nevada’s heat safety regulation comes after years of rising temperatures and an unprecedented uptick between 2021-2024. The number of heat-related complaints has grown exponentially — between 2016 and 2021, there were an average of 133 heat-related complaints each year; in 2021, 344 complaints were filed; this year, 467 complaints were filed through September. In 2024, Nevada OSHA received 467 reports related to heat-related illnesses, the most they’ve had in history. While the reported statistics show a sharp increase Federal OSHA has pointed out these are likely vast underestimates.

What the Heat Safety Rule Requires

The regulation outlines specific requirements for employers based on workforce size and job conditions. Key elements include:

  • Job Hazard Analysis 
    • Employers with more than 10 employees must conduct a one-time job hazard analysis to identify tasks and conditions that expose workers to heat illness risks. Heat-related illnesses can be as mild as cramps to as severe as heat stroke.
    • Factors such as air temperature, humidity, workload severity and protective equipment must be assessed.
  • Written Heat Safety Plans
    • Employers must develop plans to address water access, rest breaks, cooling measures, emergency responses and training.
    • Plans must include procedures for repairing defective cooling systems promptly.
  • Heat Safety Monitors
    • Companies must assign individuals to oversee heat safety, monitor worker conditions and ensure emergency services are contacted when needed.
  • Training Programs
    • Workers and supervisors must be trained to recognize heat illness symptoms, implement preventive measures and follow emergency protocols.
  • Rest and Water Requirements
    • Employers are required to provide potable water, shaded areas and regular rest breaks to prevent overheating.
  • Acclimatization Protocols

Steps Safety Teams Can Take to Prepare

  • Conduct Preliminary Hazard Analyses
    • Begin assessing heat-related risks across your worksites. Identify tasks, equipment and conditions that could contribute to heat exposure.
  • Develop or Update Safety Plans
    • Draft written plans that incorporate water access, rest breaks, shaded areas and emergency protocols. Use Nevada OSHA’s upcoming guidance as a resource.
  • Train Your Workforce
    • Implement training sessions to educate employees about heat illness prevention, acclimatization processes and emergency responses.
  • Assign Heat Monitors
    • Designate responsible individuals to oversee heat safety on high-temperature days and ensure they are adequately trained.
  • Invest in Cooling Infrastructure
    • Install shade structures, cooling fans and hydration stations. Ensure indoor cooling systems are functional and promptly repair any defects.
  • Adopt Scheduling Flexibility
    • Adjust work schedules to avoid peak heat hours and rotate workers during high-stress tasks to minimize prolonged exposure.
  • Use Technology to make compliance easier
    • Use environmental monitoring such as the BEACON V2  or physiological monitoring such as the BAND V2 to know in real-time when heat hazards exist

Leading the Way in Heat Safety

With Nevada OSHA’s heat safety standard, employers now have a structured framework to protect workers from heat-related hazards. This rule not only fills a critical gap in workplace safety but also aligns with federal efforts to address heat stress across the nation.

By implementing these measures early, businesses can stay ahead of compliance deadlines and ensure worker well-being. 

The Federal Connection: OSHA’s National Heat Standard

Nevada’s new heat rule reflects broader efforts by federal OSHA, which proposed a national heat standard in July 2024. The federal rule aims to establish protections for workers in both indoor and outdoor settings to prevent heat-related illnesses and injuries.

While Nevada’s regulation is set to take effect in 2025, the proposed federal heat standard is still in development and may not be finalized until mid-2025 at the earliest.

In the interim, Nevada OSHA continues to enforce heat safety through its General Duty Clause, which requires employers to maintain a workplace free from recognized hazards, including excessive heat.

Proactive Steps Toward Heat Safety  

Physiological monitoring can help prevent heat stress incidents.

Understanding and implementing Nevada’s new heat safety regulations is essential for reducing the risks of heat-related injuries and fatalities in the workplace. As these requirements take effect, employers and workers must remain proactive in identifying and addressing heat hazards to ensure a safe working environment.  At SlateSafety, we are committed to supporting organizations in enhancing their safety protocols and protecting their workforce from heat-related dangers. Technology can make adhering to new heat stress standards easy. Stay connected with SlateSafety’s blog for ongoing updates, expert advice, and resources on heat safety and other critical occupational health topics.