Bill > HB1451

This bill requires employers to develop comprehensive written plans to protect workers from extreme temperatures, specifically when apparent temperatures reach 80 degrees Fahrenheit or above, or 15 degrees Fahrenheit and below. The plans must use a hierarchy of controls, including hazard elimination, personal protective equipment (PPE), engineering controls, and administrative controls, and be tailored to the specific workplace environment. Employers must create detailed procedures for acclimatization, provide mandatory rest breaks in temperature-protected areas, and ensure access to fluids during extreme temperatures. The bill mandates annual training programs for employees covering heat and cold stress identification, personal risk factors, symptoms, and emergency response procedures. Employers must also implement anti-retaliation policies to protect workers who report violations or exercise their rights under the new regulations. The bill aims to address the increasing frequency of extreme weather events and their potential impact on worker safety, drawing on data showing significant worker deaths from heat and cold exposure over the past decades. The legislation will take effect 60 days after passage and gives the commissioner of labor the authority to create specific rules for implementing these workplace protections.