PROTECT VIRGINIA WORKERS FROM HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS AND DEATH

THE PROBLEM:

During a severe heat wave in June 2025, Virginia set a new record for reported heat-related health illnesses across the Commonwealth: 828 people visiting emergency rooms and urgent care clinics over just four days. As Virginia’s climate heats up, more Virginia workers are risking heat-related illness, injury, and death. Protections under current state law are insufficient, leaving workers and their families to suffer preventable harm.

THE SOLUTION:

Delegate Phil Hernandez and State Senator Lashrecse Aird are sponsoring legislation (HB 1092 and SB 288) that directs the Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board to develop and adopt commonsense workplace heat regulations in consultation with the Department of Labor and Industries (DOLI) and with an advisory panel of employee advocates and other experts. The bill also enables employees to seek civil damages against employers who violate the regulations.

THE BENEFITS:

Decades of evidence show that heat stress hurts worker health, lowers workplace productivity, and imposes avoidable costs on employers. The good news is that commonsense workplace heat regulations can improve worker health and improve the bottom line of employers. For example, a nationwide study of more than 800,000 reported workplace injuries found that the odds of traumatic—and expensive—work-related injuries increased as the heat index went up. Importantly, states that had rules to protect workers from heat had lower odds of hot day workplace injuries.

THE TIME FOR ACTION IS NOW: Virginia’s workers need protection and you can help.

  1. Add your organization to the list of groups supporting HB 1092/SB 288 that will protect the Commonwealth’s workers from heat by filling out this form.
  2. Spread the word about the Virginia campaign for workplace heat protections by sharing this fact sheet.
  3. Let your Virginia House and Senate representatives know that you want them to vote for an enforceable workplace heat standard to protect Virginia workers from heat stress.