CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is creating its first federal heat standards to protect workers.

What You Need To Know

The new standards are part of President Joe Biden’s executive action on climate change and extreme heat

There are several topics OSHA is trying to address, such as heat illness prevention plans, worker training and exposure monitoring

Currently, the government has safety guidelines for working in the heat, but no federal heat standard that would provide mandatory protection from dangerously high temperatures

Richard Laney has been landscaping for 26 years and now runs his own business. His favorite part of the job is when the project is finished.

“I enjoy the before and after,” Laney said. “When we started there was nothing here but grass. Then, we get to create a patio and nice area for people to enjoy.”

He admits this job is not easy, especially when the forecast is 95 degrees, plus humidity.

“It is unbearable at 3 p.m. so we try to get done by 2 p.m.,” Laney said.

It’s why he works hard to make sure his crew is safe and hydrated. He tells his workers to take water breaks as much as needed. He also brings a massive cooler with dozens of water bottles to every work site.

“We don’t want anyone out here sick with that, because it can take days to get over,” Laney said. “Between the five of us, we probably go through up to 48 water bottles a day.”

OSHA is creating the first federal heat standard to protect workers. Laney says he is happy to follow any new government standards because his workers are his top priority.

“We want to keep our guys safe out here and abide by the rules,” Laney said. “I want my guys to be able to go home just like I do, to go back to my family.”

To find out more about the proposed new rules by OSHA, click here.