New OSHA Rules to Protect Workers from Extreme Heat and Elon Musk's Promises on Child Labor: Updates in Sustainability
Key Ideas
  • The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration proposed new rules to protect workers from extreme heat, requiring employers to provide water, shaded areas, and breaks at certain temperatures.
  • Elon Musk's promises to ensure no child labor at mines supplying cobalt to Tesla have been criticized for not being comprehensive enough, despite third-party audits claiming no child labor.
  • Andy Marsh, CEO of Plug Power, discusses the green hydrogen industry, the delay in U.S. projects due to regulatory uncertainties, and the importance of clarity in guidelines for tax credits.
  • While the U.S. lags behind in green hydrogen initiatives, Europe and Australia lead the way, with significant scale projects not expected in the U.S. until 2026-2027 due to regulatory challenges.
The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has introduced new rules aimed at protecting workers from extreme heat in the United States. These regulations mandate that employers provide necessary facilities like water, shaded areas, and breaks to employees working in high-temperature conditions, addressing the risks of heat-related illnesses and deaths on the job. Despite the importance of these rules for approximately 36 million workers, they are expected to face opposition from businesses and trade groups. Elon Musk's pledge to eliminate child labor in cobalt mines supplying Tesla has come under scrutiny for not meeting expectations. While third-party audits have claimed no child labor, critics argue that the measures taken are not sufficient to address the ongoing issues in cobalt and copper mining. Andy Marsh, CEO of Plug Power, discusses the challenges and opportunities in the green hydrogen industry. He mentions the slow progress of U.S. companies compared to Europe, attributing the delay to uncertainties around tax credits and regulatory clarity. The U.S. market is expected to see significant green hydrogen projects by 2026-2027. In the broader sustainability context, the U.S. currently lacks action in green hydrogen compared to Europe and Australia. Regulatory uncertainties, especially regarding tax credits and guidelines, are hindering progress in the green hydrogen sector. Despite the potential for growth, the U.S. is projected to see substantial developments in green hydrogen initiatives only by 2026-2027, with the need for clear regulatory frameworks to drive significant investments and projects.
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