Bill > SB288

This bill mandates the Safety and Health Codes Board to create and implement regulations protecting workers from heat illness, which is defined as a serious medical condition due to the body's inability to manage heat, including conditions like heat exhaustion and heat stroke. These regulations will require employers, defined as entities under the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Program, to provide essential resources such as water, shade or climate-controlled environments, rest breaks, and training on heat illness prevention. Employers will also need to enact high-heat procedures when the heat index reaches 80 degrees Fahrenheit and establish emergency response plans, with specific exemptions for emergency services and brief periods of heat exposure. The bill allows workers to sue for violations, seeking damages and attorney fees, and includes provisions for additional damages if an employer knowingly violates the regulations. Furthermore, the Safety and Health Codes Board must consult with the Department of Labor and Industry and form an advisory panel, with a majority of employee representatives, to develop these regulations by May 1, 2027, considering existing standards from various safety organizations.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB288