Extreme Temperature Hazards - Regulations

Depending upon the region and the time of year, workers in the oil and gas extraction industry may be exposed to excessively hot or cold temperatures. Both extremes can have devastating effects upon human health and may even cause death.

Although OSHA does not have specific regulations that address heat and cold stress, under the General Duty Clause in Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act of 1970, employers must provide workers with safe work environments and protect them from hazards. OSHA provides lots of quality resources to help employers protect their workers from temperature extremes. Some of these are listed at the end of this section.

Fortunately, being informed and knowing how to protect workers from heat stress and cold stress can prevent the dire consequences of these exposures.

To learn more about Oil & Gas Extraction visit our Oil & Gas Extraction Safety Online Training web page.