Nevada heat protections in place for workers

Nevada has become the latest state to adopt regulations to protect workers from extreme heat.

In paperwork dated Nov. 15, the Nevada Division of Industrial Relations of the Department of Business and Industry has passed a regulation “imposing certain duties on employers of employees who are exposed to certain hazardous conditions that may cause heat illness.”

The rules call on employers to create a written safety program that addresses potential hazardous working conditions that may cause occupational exposure to heat illness. The program must include access to “potable water,” rest breaks for employees who exhibit signs or symptoms of heat illness, a means of cooling for employees, and “identification and mitigation of any work process that may generate additional heat or humidity.”

The rules require employers to provide “certain employees with training relating to the hazards of heat illness,” and imposes “duties for an employer of an employee who shows signs of possible heat illness.”

The rules exempt certain requirements for employees who work in certain climate-controlled environments.

Arizona, California, Colorado, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington have in place regulations to protect workers from heat illnesses. New Jersey on Nov. 14 introduced legislation to create rules for workplaces.