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.

Rhode Island Senate Bill: Workplace Extreme Temperature Protections

This bill would require Rhode Island employers to take specific steps to protect their workers from the dangers of extreme heat and cold on the job. Under the bill, employers would need to provide rest breaks, personal protective equipment (PPE) such as appropriate clothing or gear, proper training, and necessary equipment to help keep workers safe when temperatures reach dangerous levels. The goal is to reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses like heat stroke and cold-related conditions like hypothermia among people working in extreme temperature environments.

The bill also requires that supervisors receive training on a quarterly basis — meaning four times per year — so they can recognize the warning signs of heat- and cold-related health problems and know how to respond. This regular training requirement is meant to keep workplace safety knowledge current and ensure that the people managing workers are equipped to act quickly if someone is at risk.

This bill would affect workers and employers across a range of industries where extreme temperatures are a common concern, such as construction, agriculture, manufacturing, warehouse work, and outdoor jobs. Both indoor and outdoor work environments could be covered, depending on conditions. Employers would bear the main responsibility for implementing and maintaining these protections.

As of now, the bill has been referred to the Senate Labor and Gaming Committee, and the committee has recommended it be held for further study, meaning it has not yet advanced toward becoming law. A hearing is scheduled for March 4, 2026.