In response to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) proposed rule on Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings, HCAF has submitted detailed comments advocating for a balanced approach that addresses the unique needs of the home care industry. The proposed rule, announced in August 2024, seeks to establish a federal heat standard to protect workers across industries.

Submitted on January 14, 2025, HCAF’s comments highlight the unique challenges of implementing OSHA’s proposed heat safety rule in Florida’s home care sector. Clinicians and caregivers often work in private residences where employers lack control over environmental conditions, and mandatory rest breaks or heat exposure during transit can disrupt patient care. HCAF recommends flexible provisions, such as portable cooling solutions, exemptions for small providers, and tailored guidelines for heat management during emergencies, to ensure worker safety without compromising care quality or agency sustainability.

For more details, access HCAF’s full comments here.