The proposal is a long-awaited move in the agency’s efforts to keep workers safe in soaring temperatures. The draft of the document was hailed by worker advocacy groups that say federal OSHA has lagged behind states such as Arizona and California in creating guidelines for employers whose workers face such risks as heat stroke. The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health issued a statement on July 2 calling OSHA’s announcement “a critical step in protecting millions of workers from heat-related illnesses and injuries.”