The Maryland Department of Labor has established heat stress standards to protect workers from the dangers of excessive heat exposure, particularly in outdoor and industrial settings. These standards include guidelines for monitoring environmental conditions, implementing preventive measures such as hydration and rest breaks, and training employees to recognize and respond to heat-related illnesses. Employers are required to assess heat exposure risks, provide access to cool environments, and develop a heat stress management plan to ensure the safety and well-being of their workforce during high-temperature conditions. Attached here (Code of Maryland Regulations – MDOL – Heat Stress Regulations) you’ll find the full list of standards; however, some of the key standards are as follows:

Heat-Related Illness Prevention and Management Plan

1. An employer shall monitor the heat index throughout the work shift in areas where employees perform work.
2. An employer whose employees work in buildings and structures that do not have a mechanical ventilation system shall directly measure the temperature and humidity at the same time and location in areas where employees perform work. 
3. An employer shall develop, implement, and maintain an effective heat-related illness prevention and management plan in writing. 
4. The heat-related illness prevention and management plan shall contain: sufficient amounts of drinking water; sufficient opportunities to stay hydrated; trained employees who can recognize and respond to symptoms of heat-related illnesses; provide rest breaks as needed; provide cooling and control measures to manage heat and prevent heat-related illnesses.
5. Have a written plan made available and accessible to employees and MOSH upon request.

Additionally, the employer shall provide acclimatization time for employees, provide shaded areas to exposed employees, provide 32 ounces of drinking water per hour to each exposed employee per work day, implement high-heat procedures when temperatures exceed 90 degrees, ensure training and emergency response planning, etc.

Maryland NECA is acutely aware that the newly implemented heat standards are onerous on employers. While we can all appreciated the importance of employee safety, these newly enacted standards put incredible risk on the employer and open up multiple channels for potential litigation. The Chapter is working alongside our advocacy team, Cornerstone, to bring awareness of these burdensome regulations to our Maryland Legislators; however, practical amendments to the current standards could take time. It’s important for all employers to start taking the necessary steps to implement these new standards moving forward.