WHAT ARE NEW US RULES PROPOSED TO SAFEGUARD WORKERS AMID RISING TEMPERATURE: DETAILS

The Biden administration has come up with new regulations to protect nearly 35 million workers, such as mail carriers, delivery personnel, and construction workers, exposed to extremely high temperatures, as the country grapples with severe heatwave.

"The purpose of this rule is to significantly reduce the number of worker-related deaths, injuries and illnesses suffered by workers who are exposed to excessive heat simply by doing their jobs," a senior administration official told reporters.

Employers, under the proposed rules would be obligated to create heat injury and illness prevention plans, designate a workplace heat safety coordinator, workers will be provided with drinking water and access to shaded or air-conditioned break areas if the temperature breaches 80 degrees mark.

Moreover, other measures include acclimatization of new or returning employees, more frequent breaks and reduced workloads until they are fully acclimated.

"Three out of four workers who die on the job due to heat-related illnesses, die in that first week on the job, " said the official.

Additionally, if the mercury rises more than 90 degrees Fahrenheit, all employees would be entitled to a 15-minute break every two hours, and managers would be required to monitor them for symptoms of heat-related illnesses.

However, some workers, such as emergency medical personnel, would be exempt from the new rule.

If implemented, this would be the first federal-level rule of its kind in the United States.