Bill aims to shield Nevada workers from heat-related illnesses

Carson City, NV — Recently introduced legislation in Nevada would provide outdoor workers with additional protections against extreme heat and poor air quality.

Introduced on March 27 by Sen. Edgar Flores (D-Las Vegas), the Extreme Weather Working Conditions Bill (S.B. 427) would revise existing workplace safety and health law to require additional provisions in employers’ current written safety programs: 

• A program to mitigate heat-related illness on any day when the temperature is expected to be 95° F or higher.
• A training program for employees who might be affected by heat-related illness issues.
• A program to mitigate poor air quality exposure on any day when workers are exposed to air with an Air Quality Index value of 201 or higher.
• A training program, focused on the hazards of working without personal protective equipment, for workers who may be exposed to poor air quality.

Specifically, employers would be required to provide workers a 10-minute break each hour during extreme heat, along with at least 1 quart of cool, fresh drinking water each hour and access to shade. During days with poor air quality, employers would be required to provide workers with proper respiratory protection, access to an indoor environment with appropriate ventilation and air filtering, and a mandatory 10-minute break each hour.

The bill stipulates that the programs and training must be conducted and made available in languages and formats that employees understand.

It has been referred to the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee.