Bill > HB1071

This bill, titled the "Georgia Workplace Safety and Heat Protection Act," aims to protect workers from the dangers of extreme heat by requiring employers to implement heat illness prevention programs. The bill defines key terms such as "dangerous heat index trigger" (when the heat index exceeds 90°F or other OSHA-determined thresholds), "extreme heat environment" (when the heat index exceeds 80°F or Wet Bulb Globe Temperature exceeds 78.8°F), and "heat illness" (any medical condition caused by the body's inability to cope with heat). It mandates that employers, with varying deadlines based on business size and type, must provide written prevention plans in multiple languages, ensure access to free water, shaded rest areas, and paid breaks, conduct regular risk assessments, establish emergency response protocols for heat illnesses, and train employees and supervisors on recognizing and preventing heat-related issues. While micro-businesses, seasonal businesses, and nonprofit employers with fewer than five employees can request exemptions, the Department of Labor will promote public awareness, offer compliance resources like templates and multilingual materials on its website, and monitor compliance through inspections and complaint investigations. The Commissioner of Labor can issue civil penalties for violations, with higher penalties for knowing violations, and is authorized to enter into settlement agreements and corrective action plans. A grant program will be established to assist employers in rural counties with compliance, and the department will report annually on the act's implementation and impact, including data on heat-related illnesses and deaths.

Labor and Employment

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72522