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S 2320Workplace Safety

Health and Safety - Division of Occupational Health

This bill mandates employer-provided protections, climate control, paid breaks, and quarterly training for workers exposed to extreme heat or cold.

Held for study
Population
Affected
28
Email Legislator
Introduced Jan 23, 2026Committee Senate Labor & Gaming

Plain-English Summary

This legislation mandates that employers implement specific safety measures for employees working in extreme temperatures, defined as 90°F or higher and 32°F or lower. Employers must provide paid rest breaks, shade, drinking water, and personal protective equipment. The bill requires adequate heating and cooling systems for employees working in vehicles, warehouses, or outdoors for more than sixty minutes. Additionally, supervisors and employees must complete quarterly training on temperature safety provided by the Department of Health. The bill also prohibits retaliation against employees based on an employer's failure to comply with these standards.

For younger readers

This new rule helps keep workers safe when the weather is very hot or very cold. If it is 90 degrees or hotter, or freezing cold, bosses must give workers paid breaks, water, and a place to warm up or cool down. Bosses also have to make sure that work trucks and big warehouses have heaters and air conditioning to keep people safe. Both the bosses and the workers have to take a class four times a year to learn safety rules. Also, bosses cannot fire workers just because the boss failed to follow these new safety rules.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
Warehouse Owners and OperatorsConstruction CompaniesAgricultural BusinessesDelivery and Logistics CompaniesOutdoor Laborers
Impacted communities
All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost
Amount unknown
Estimated revenue
None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Significantly improves workplace safety and health outcomes for vulnerable laborers in high-risk sectors like construction, agriculture, and warehousing by mandating breaks and climate control.
  • Strengthens worker rights by explicitly categorizing the discharge of employees due to employer non-compliance as an unlawful employment practice, offering protection against retaliation.
  • Shifts the burden of safety and climate adaptation onto employers, ensuring that profits are not prioritized over the physical well-being of the workforce during extreme weather events.
  • The term "adequate" regarding insulation and heating/cooling equipment is subjective and could lead to loopholes where employers provide the bare minimum to comply without truly protecting workers.
  • Relies heavily on employee reporting and anti-discrimination lawsuits for enforcement rather than establishing a proactive, robust state inspection regime with immediate fines for non-compliance.
  • May unintentionally discourage the hiring of full-time employees in favor of independent contractors or gig workers to avoid the costs associated with the mandated benefits and equipment upgrades.
For Conservatives
  • Establishes clear, objective temperature metrics (90°F and 32°F) for when regulations apply, reducing ambiguity compared to subjective interpretations of "hot" or "cold."
  • Standardizes training through a Department of Health online tutorial, potentially reducing the administrative burden of businesses having to develop their own safety curricula.
  • Could potentially reduce workers' compensation claims and insurance premiums for businesses by proactively preventing heat stroke, hypothermia, and related workplace injuries.
  • Imposes massive capital costs on businesses by mandating the installation of heating and cooling systems in warehouses and vehicles, which may be financially crippling for small business owners.
  • Creates a heavy regulatory burden with the requirement for quarterly training for all supervisors and employees, disrupting productivity and operational efficiency.
  • Represents significant government overreach into private business operations by dictating specific equipment and break schedules, infringing on the freedom of contract between employer and employee.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 53 additions

SECTION 1. Chapter 23-1.1 of the General Laws entitled "Division of Occupational Health" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 23-1.1-18. Extreme temperatures employee protection.

(a) As used herein, the term “extreme temperatures” means temperatures at or above ninety degrees Fahrenheit (90° F), or at or below thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit (32° F).

(b) Employers shall implement plans and conduct business activities to prevent and reduce exposure of employees to extreme temperatures. These plans and activities shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) Employees shall have access to paid rest breaks, adequate shade, warming or cooling stations, drinking water, personal protective equipment, and other protections from extreme temperatures in regard to heat and cold.

(2) Pursuant to a program established in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, employers shall require supervisors and managers to:

(i) Complete the department of health’s online public tutorial program quarterly to recognize the signs of overexposure to hot and cold temperatures, such as injuries and illnesses caused by extreme temperatures, and ensure that appropriate personal protective equipment is available such as hats, gloves, winter coats, cooling vests, and sunscreen as appropriate for the extreme temperatures; and

(ii) Ensure that heating and cooling equipment is maintained and functional.

(3) Further protections shall be established for employees who work in vehicles. Employees who spend more than sixty (60) minutes in vehicles, or whose workplace is considered a vehicle, shall have adequate insulation and heating/cooling equipment, within the vehicle to protect the occupants from extreme heat or cold.

(4) Further protections shall be established for employees who work in a warehouse. Employees who spend more than sixty (60) minutes in a warehouse, or whose workplace is considered a warehouse, shall have adequate insulation and heating/cooling equipment within the warehouse to protect the employees from extreme heat or cold.

(5) Further protections shall be established for employees who work outdoors, including, but not limited to, construction sites, farms, vineyards, recreation, and fishing sites. Employees who spend more than sixty (60) minutes outdoors, or whose workplace is considered outdoors, shall have adequate heating and cooling equipment, within the working space to protect the employees from extreme heat or cold.

(6) Pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, free and effective training on temperature safety shall be provided quarterly for employees who work in a warehouse, in vehicles, or outdoors, including, but not limited to, construction sites, farms, vineyards, recreation, and fishing sites. This training shall take place quarterly, during work hours and include the following elements:

(i) Inform and assist employees to identify the risk factors, signs, and symptoms of cold stress and heat related illnesses and the necessary medical responses;

(ii) Inform the employees of the paid rest breaks, adequate shade, warming or cooling stations, drinking water, personal protective equipment, heating and cooling equipment, and other protections which shall be provided;

(iii) Outline and clarify the employer's procedures for monitoring temperature conditions and provide workers with the ability to participate in the monitoring process; and

(iv) Demonstrate the proper use of personal protective equipment, such as hats, gloves, winter coats, cooling vests, sunscreen, and related protective equipment.

(c) The department of health shall create and implement an online public tutorial program, for supervisors and managers to recognize the signs of overexposure to hot and cold temperatures, such as injuries and illnesses caused by extreme temperatures, and ensure that appropriate personal protective equipment is available, including hats, gloves, winter coats, cooling vests, and sunscreen, as appropriate for the extreme temperatures.

(d) For any employer to discharge employees or discriminate against them resulting from the failure of an employer to implement or perform any of the duties required by this section, shall be an unlawful employment practice, in addition to the provisions of § 28-5-7.

(e) The department of health may promulgate rules and regulations as necessary to implement and administer this section.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2027.