Bill > HB1580

This bill establishes comprehensive workplace heat protection standards to safeguard employees from heat-related injuries and illnesses. The Workplace Heat Protection Standards Act requires the Secretary of Labor and Industry to develop regulations within one year that mandate employers protect workers when the heat index reaches 80 degrees Fahrenheit, including requirements for heat monitoring, providing water and rest breaks, creating heat-related illness prevention plans, and offering employee and supervisor training. Employers must develop written prevention plans that address heat index monitoring, hydration, rest periods, identifying heat illness symptoms, acclimatization for new workers, and emergency response procedures. The bill prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who report unsafe conditions or seek heat-related health interventions, and establishes a private right of action for workers who experience discrimination. Penalties for non-compliance range from $1,000 to $160,500 per violation, with potential criminal charges for violations resulting in worker deaths. The legislation creates a Heat Protection Enforcement Fund to support investigations and enforcement, and applies to most employers across Pennsylvania, with limited exceptions for emergency response providers and certain disaster-related work. The act takes effect 60 days after passage and aims to comprehensively protect workers from heat-related health risks.

Labor and Employment

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1580