Nevada establishes new rules to protect workers from heat-related illnesses
- Nevada has adopted a regulation requiring larger businesses to conduct job hazard analyses related to heat exposure.
- This regulation follows a notable increase in heat-related emergency room visits and complaints in recent years.
- The new rules are a crucial step towards mitigating health risks for workers in extreme heat, but concerns about coverage remain.
In recent months, the state of Nevada has implemented a new regulation aimed at protecting workers from heat-related illnesses, following years of unsuccessful attempts to introduce heat safety measures. This change comes on the heels of alarming reports, including a significant rise in emergency room visits for heat-related issues, with a 28 percent increase observed from the summer of 2023 to the summer of 2024. The Nevada Division of Industrial Relations, responsible for workplace safety, announced that any business with more than 10 employees now must perform a comprehensive job hazard analysis to identify conditions that could lead to heat-related health problems. The regulation seeks to mitigate health risks associated with extreme temperatures and is particularly crucial for workers in industries that face high heat exposure. This development follows a multiyear process where previous proposals were blocked due to concerns from businesses regarding the burden of compliance. The latest rule shifts the focus towards a more manageable approach for employers while still emphasizing the need for worker safety. Furthermore, inspection authority was granted to Nevada OSHA to conduct safety evaluations and respond to violations regarding heat exposure. Despite the progress made by this regulation, there are still voices of concern; stakeholders like the Nevada Environmental Justice Coalition point out gaps in coverage, particularly regarding indoor workers and the discretionary power it gives employers regarding heat hazard assessments. The regulation outlines necessary employee training programs to recognize heat illness symptoms and ensure speedy response in case of emergencies. The heat-related challenges faced by cities like Reno and Las Vegas, which have experienced new temperature records, underline the urgency of implementing these protections for the health and safety of Nevada's workforce.