Officials also cited record-breaking heat waves in June, high temperature forecasts for Independence Day, July 4, and above-average temperatures for July.

The rule would affect 35 million workers whose jobs involve heat and activities that can cause an increase in body temperature, including workers in construction, agriculture and gardening and landscaping, as well as those who work indoors, such as kitchen workers, who are exposed to heat of 80 degrees or more.

An important aspect of the proposed rule is acclimatization requirements. New or returning workers who are not accustomed to the heat must be given a gradual increase in workload or a 15-minute rest break every two hours.

According to a senior administration official, 75% of workers who die from heat-related illnesses on the job die in the first week. This rule would “significantly reduce the number of work-related deaths, injuries and illnesses,” the official said.

Along with this new rule, officials announced $1 billion in funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for 93 different communities and tribal nations, including $50 million for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to divert stormwater to mitigate flooding and $6 million for Greensboro, North Carolina, to improve a flood drainage channel.

Through FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, the funds will go toward building infrastructure that is better prepared for extreme weather events.

Officials said Americans were increasingly concerned about the increasing frequency of wildfires, hurricanes and floods.

“Major weather events not only pose a direct threat to lives and livelihoods, they also have significant economic impacts,” an official said.

Another senior administration official said the announced measures were part of President Joe Biden's broader commitment to strengthen the country against growing threats from climate change.

“We are taking action, bold action, historic action and action that will make a truly meaningful and visible difference on the ground,” the official said.