Vermont bill proposes safety rules for workers facing extreme temperatures

Lawmakers in Vermont are considering a bill that would put in place safety requirements for employers with workers exposed to extreme temperatures.

S.B. 153, introduced Thursday, would require employers to have written plans, updated annually, for managing extreme temperatures, and provide safety measures such as water, breaks, acclimation and air-conditioning under some conditions, such as driving for more than 60 continuous minutes.

The bill defines extreme temperatures as anything above 80 degrees or below 60 degrees, along with other work conditions. The rules would not apply to workers exposed to extreme temperatures for short periods of time, defined as 15 minutes or less per continuous hour.