Unions, state officials hope long-awaited workplace heat rules are in final stretch

After nearly four years of discussion, and a week after a Baltimore sanitation worker died of heat-related causes, proposed state regulations to protect workers from heat stress are nearing the final stages of review. The proposed regulations were published by the Division of Labor and Industry on July 26, starting a 30-day public comment period. A hearing has been scheduled for next Friday, Aug. 16, and barring any major changes, the new rules could be in place by early fall.