HR 393: General Assembly; enact Workplace Safety and Heat Protection Act; urge

House Resolution 393

By: Representatives Schofield of the 63rd, Davis of the 87th, Scott of the 76th, Jackson of the 68th, Drenner of the 85th, and others

A RESOLUTION

Urging the General Assembly to enact the Workplace Safety and Heat Protection Act (LC 46 0977) to safeguard workers from extreme heat conditions that endanger their health and economic security; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Georgia workers, particularly those in the construction, manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, and warehousing sectors, are increasingly exposed to extreme heat conditions due to rising temperatures and required outdoor exposure; and

WHEREAS, prolonged exposure to high temperatures has been linked to serious health risks, including heat exhaustion, heat stroke, cardiovascular strain, and even fatality, disproportionately impacting workers in physically demanding jobs; and

WHEREAS, the current lack of enforceable workplace heat protection standards exacerbates economic vulnerabilities, as work absences due to heat related illness result in loss of wages, financial instability, and increased healthcare costs for workers and their families; and

WHEREAS, according to economic studies, workplace injuries and illnesses from extreme heat result in significant productivity losses, increased workers' compensation claims, and a reduced labor force, which cumulatively harm Georgia's economic growth and competitiveness; and

WHEREAS, labor unions and advocacy organizations have emphasized the necessity of comprehensive heat protection policies, including mandated rest breaks, access to hydration, cooling stations, and employer provided protective measures to mitigate heat related hazards; and

WHEREAS, similar protections adopted in other states have demonstrated that workplace safety measures not only improve worker health but also bolster economic stability and reduce the burden on healthcare and social safety nets.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body urge the General Assembly to enact the Workplace Safety and Heat Protection Act (LC 46 0977) to establish enforceable workplace heat protection standards, including, but not limited to:

(1) Defining extreme heat conditions as workplace conditions with a heat index exceeding 80 degrees Fahrenheit or other thresholds as determined by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, as of January 1, 2025; and

(2) Requiring employers to implement a heat illness prevention program designed to mitigate heat related risks through prevention, training, and emergency responses for employees working in extreme heat conditions.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the Governor, the Commissioner of Labor, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and all members of the Georgia General Assembly.