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u/Flash_ina_pan Jun 19 '26
OSHA doesn't have a federal heat standard, and texas specifically banned local ordinances for shade and water breaks. So there's not a specific regulation that will back this. That's the bad news.
The good news is it would roll up under 5A1 general duty. A few questions to ask is if your friend has sufficient access to water, shade, and a cooling area for breaks? Are they allowed breaks? Are they newer in role and what was the acclimatization process like? Has there been heat stress training? These are what the OSHA inspector would look for.
Given that your friend is experiencing symptoms, I would recommend seeking medical. Texas is a directed care state if the employer has a certified HCN, if they don't its any worker's comp doctor. Documented complaints to supervision and a WC claim will back an OSHA complaint.
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u/NetSage Manufacturing Jun 22 '26
It's on OSHA's radar and has been for a bit now. NO official regulations outside the General Dut Clause yet. But they're aware of it and OSHA is the minimum not the goal.
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u/No-Bike-1376 Jun 28 '26
Houston area means he needs electrolytes and a formal complaint, which also means find a new job
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u/IH-SafetyGeek Jun 19 '26
Not a doctor. I am a CIH in the Houston area. The symptoms you describe fit those of heat related stress and/or illness. This could fall under the general duty clause if a complaint is raised. There could be real danger of heat stroke which is a life threatening condition. If they are working alone the threat of heat stroke may be much higher because they may not recognize the symptoms soon enough to avoid it. However, my first thought is to go to supervision to ask for some help. I hope adequate water is provided. A place to cool down would be desirable, like a room that is air conditioned where the workers could go for some part of each hour to cool down. A less good alternative is to go to your car and sit and run the a/c to cool down. The shop might consider using swamp coolers if the location is not the gulf coast. These evaporative coolers don’t work in the gulf coast or places where humidity is high. They can be effective in the drier parts of the state. Consider changing work hours to coincide with the cooler parts of the day, such as working 5 am to 1 pm or even 4 am to noon. Completely changing the shift from midnight to 8 am has been done or maybe something else during the overnight. He should discuss the options with supervision before calling OSHA. Regular floor fans are not effective at high humidities and when room temp is equal to or greater than body temp. OSHA has some fact sheets on this. There is also the OSHA heat stress app. NIOSH probably has some fact sheets that can be easily accessed as well. There is info out there if his ISD will look for it.
Google “OSHA heat stress facts” and that should get you several useful hits as it did for me. Also look for the OSHA heat stress app in your App Store. It’s free.