b'(continued from page 13) wastemanagement,utilities,andfoodservice, specificallyinrestaurantkitchens.Themeetings willbeheldinteleconferenceswheresmall businesses can share concerns and discuss currentpractices for protecting their employees from heat-relatedillnessesandinjuries.Thepanelisalso seeking input on how new heat regulations might impacttheirworkplaceoperationsorlocal businesscommunities.Thediscussionswillbe open to the public. InOctober2021,OSHApublishedanAdvance NoticeofProposedRulemakingforHeatInjury andIllnessPreventioninOutdoorandIndoor WorkSettingsintheFederalRegister.Itspublication initiated the rulemaking for OSHA to consideraheat-specificworkplacestandard. OSHAhasalsotakenseveralactionsapartfrom therulemakingtoprotectworkersfromthe dangersofexcessheatintheworkplace.These include the following:Developmentofanenforcementinitiativeon heat-related hazards.LaunchofaNationalEmphasisProgramon heat inspections.Creation of the National Advisory Committee onOccupationalSafetyandHealthsHeatInjuryandIllnessPreventionWorkGroupto better understand challenges, and identify and share best practices to protect workers.Launch of a Heat Illness Prevention campaign toeducateemployersandworkersonthedangers of working in the heat.Learn more about OSHA. Media Contacts: Victoria Godinez, 202-693-4667, godinez.victoria.c@dol.govRelease Number: 23-958-NAT 23'