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Rising Sun adopts heat-illness prevention policy for outdoor workers
Summary
The Town of Rising Sun adopted Resolution 2025-11 to add a heat illness prevention and management policy to the personnel manual, aligning local rules with Maryland MOSH and OSHA guidance and setting hydration, rest, training and emergency-response requirements for employees exposed to high heat indexes.
The Town of Rising Sun on May 13 adopted Resolution 2025-11 to add a heat illness prevention and management policy to the town personnel manual.
The policy, placed in proposed section 6-20 of the manual, applies to employees working indoors or outdoors when the heat index equals or exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 15 consecutive minutes per hour, with additional requirements beginning at a 90-degree heat index. The resolution cites Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH), federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) best practices, and the University of Maryland heat safety program as the basis for the changes.
Town Administrator summarized the policy in detail at the meeting, noting supervisors must monitor heat index using the NIOSH heat app or similar tools, provide at least 32 ounces of cool potable water per hour for employees exposed above 80 degrees, and modify work/rest schedules based on heat, job intensity and personal protective equipment. The policy also requires annual employee training, acclimatization monitoring during the first 14 days on the job or after extended leave, access to shaded or air-conditioned recovery areas, buddy checks when temperatures exceed 90 degrees, and posted emergency procedures at job sites.
The policy includes a table of minimum break standards tied to work intensity (light, moderate, heavy) and heat ranges. For example, the policy instructs rest periods of 10 minutes every 50 minutes of work when the heat index reaches 90–100 degrees for certain work intensities, and 20 minutes of rest after 40 minutes of work when temperatures exceed 100 degrees, with adjustments when personal protective equipment increases heat stress.
The town read the resolution into the record and asked for a motion. A motion to approve was moved and seconded; the board approved the resolution by voice vote. The minutes record the board responding “Aye” when the mayor asked “All in favor?” but do not record individual tallies or named votes.
Town Administrator credited Assistant Town Administrator Judy and Calvin for drafting the framework and said the changes respond to new state MOSH regulations and OSHA guidance. The resolution directs that the document titled “rules and regulations” be included as section 6-20 of the personnel manual.
The town's policy also specifies employee rights — including the right to take unscheduled cool-down breaks without reprisal — and supervisor responsibilities for training, recordkeeping of hydration and incident responses, and immediate activation of emergency procedures (including calling 911) if symptoms escalate to confusion or collapse.
The board did not attach additional amendments during the meeting; the resolution was adopted as recommended.
