AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH (Requires employers to protect employees from extreme temperatures through rest breaks, PPE, training, and equipment, and mandates quarterly supervisor training, to recognize and mitigate heat- and cold-related risks.)

H8311

2026 -- H 8311
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LC006132
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Introduced By:
Representative Matthew S. Dawson

Date Introduced:
March 18, 2026

Referred To:
House Labor
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 23-1.1 of the General Laws entitled "Division of Occupational
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Health" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
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23-1.1-18. Extreme temperatures employee protection.
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(a) As used herein, the term “extreme temperatures” means temperatures at or above ninety
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degrees Fahrenheit (90° F), or at or below thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit (32° F).
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(b) Employers shall implement plans and conduct business activities to prevent and reduce
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exposure of employees to extreme temperatures. These plans and activities shall include, but not
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be limited to, the following:
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(1) Employees shall have access to paid rest breaks, adequate shade, warming or cooling
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stations, drinking water, personal protective equipment, and other protections from extreme
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temperatures in regard to heat and cold.
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(2) Pursuant to a program established in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c)
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of this section, employers shall require supervisors and managers to:
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(i) Complete the department of health’s online public tutorial program quarterly to
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recognize the signs of overexposure to hot and cold temperatures, such as injuries and illnesses
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caused by extreme temperatures, and ensure that appropriate personal protective equipment is
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available such as hats, gloves, winter coats, cooling vests, and sunscreen as appropriate for the
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extreme temperatures; and
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(ii) Ensure that heating and cooling equipment is maintained and functional.

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(3) Further protections shall be established for employees who work in vehicles.
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Employees who spend more than sixty (60) minutes in vehicles, or whose workplace is considered
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a vehicle, shall have adequate insulation and heating/cooling equipment, within the vehicle to
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protect the occupants from extreme heat or cold.
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(4) Further protections shall be established for employees who work in a warehouse.
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Employees who spend more than sixty (60) minutes in a warehouse, or whose workplace is
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considered a warehouse, shall have adequate insulation and heating/cooling equipment within the
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warehouse to protect the employees from extreme heat or cold.
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(5) Further protections shall be established for employees who work outdoors, including,
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but not limited to, construction sites, farms, vineyards, recreation, and fishing sites. Employees who
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spend more than sixty (60) minutes outdoors, or whose workplace is considered outdoors, shall
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have adequate heating and cooling equipment, within the working space to protect the employees
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from extreme heat or cold.
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(6) Pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, free and effective training on temperature
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safety shall be provided quarterly for employees who work in a warehouse, in vehicles, or outdoors,
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including, but not limited to, construction sites, farms, vineyards, recreation, and fishing sites. This
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training shall take place quarterly, during work hours and include the following elements:
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(i) Inform and assist employees to identify the risk factors, signs, and symptoms of cold
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stress and heat related illnesses and the necessary medical responses;
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(ii) Inform the employees of the paid rest breaks, adequate shade, warming or cooling
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stations, drinking water, personal protective equipment, heating and cooling equipment, and other
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protections which shall be provided;
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(iii) Outline and clarify the employer's procedures for monitoring temperature conditions
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and provide workers with the ability to participate in the monitoring process; and
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(iv) Demonstrate the proper use of personal protective equipment, such as hats, gloves,
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winter coats, cooling vests, sunscreen, and related protective equipment.
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(c) The department of health shall create and implement an online public tutorial program,
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for supervisors and managers to recognize the signs of overexposure to hot and cold temperatures,
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such as injuries and illnesses caused by extreme temperatures, and ensure that appropriate personal
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protective equipment is available, including hats, gloves, winter coats, cooling vests, and sunscreen,
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as appropriate for the extreme temperatures.
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(d) For any employer to discharge employees or discriminate against them resulting from
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the failure of an employer to implement or perform any of the duties required by this section, shall
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be an unlawful employment practice, in addition to the provisions of § 28-5-7.

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(e) The department of health may promulgate rules and regulations as necessary to
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implement and administer this section.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2027.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
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This act would require employers to protect employees from extreme temperatures through
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rest breaks, PPE, training, and equipment, and mandate training, to recognize and mitigate heat-
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and cold-related risks. The act would require the department of health to establish and implement
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a training program.
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This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.
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LC006132
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