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Bill > A1973

NJ A1973

NJ A1973
Establishes occupational heat stress standard and "Occupational Heat-Related Illness and Injury Prevention Program" in DOLWD.

summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill requires the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development to establish by rule a heat stress standard that contains the following: 1. a standard that establishes heat stress levels for employers that, if exceeded, trigger actions by employers to protect employees from heat-related illness and injury. 2. a requirement that each employer develop, implement, and maintain an effective heat-related illness and injury prevention plan for employees. The heat-related illness and injury prevention plan referred to above is required, to the extent permitted by federal law, to be developed and implemented with the meaningful participation of employees and employee representatives, including collective bargaining representatives; will be tailored and specific to the hazards in the place of employment; will be in writing in both English and in the language understood by a majority of the employer's employees, if that language is not English; and will be made available at a time and in a manner set forth by the commissioner in rule, to employees, employee representatives, including collective bargaining representatives, and to the commissioner. The bill provides that the commissioner may issue a stop-work order against the employer requiring cessation of all business operations of the employer at one or more worksites or across all of the employer's worksites and places of business if the commissioner determines, after either an initial determination as a result of an audit of a business or an investigation pursuant to the bill, that an employer is in violation of the bill's provisions. Under the bill, after initially creating a heat-related illness and injury prevention plan, employers will be required to conduct an annual review to determine whether revisions to their plans are necessary. The bill imposes penalties and potential imprisonment for violations of its provisions.

AI Summary

This bill mandates the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development to establish a heat stress standard and an "Occupational Heat-Related Illness and Injury Prevention Program" to protect workers from heat-related illnesses and injuries. The new standard will require employers to implement specific actions when heat stress levels are exceeded and to develop, implement, and maintain a written prevention plan that involves employees, is tailored to the workplace hazards, and is available in languages understood by employees. This plan must include procedures for monitoring heat exposure, providing water and rest breaks, responding to emergencies, limiting heat exposure duration, implementing a heat alert program, using engineering and administrative controls, and ensuring employees can report heat-related symptoms. Employers will also be required to provide annual training on heat illness prevention to all employees and specialized training to supervisors. The bill also establishes penalties for violations, including the possibility of a stop-work order, and prohibits employer retaliation against employees who exercise their rights under this act.

Committee Categories

Labor and Employment

Sponsors (11)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Labor Committee (on 01/13/2026)
(3 Companion Bills)

bill text

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bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A1973
BillText https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A2000/1973_I1.HTM
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