HB6442: Labor: health and safety; occupational health standards related to exposure to work in hot…

HOUSE BILL NO. 6442 A bill to amend 1974 PA 154, entitled "Michigan occupational safety and health act," (MCL 408.1001 to 408.1094) by adding section 14s. the people of the state of michigan enact: Sec. 14s. (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this act, the director shall promulgate occupational health standards regarding employees who are exposed to heat or work in hot environments that include, but are not limited to, all of the following: (a) A requirement for employers to create and implement a plan to prevent injury or illness related to exposure to heat or work in hot environments, including, but not limited to, an emergency response plan. (b) A requirement for heat monitoring for both indoor and outdoor work. (c) Certain requirements that are triggered when temperatures reach an initial level based on the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Index and additional requirements that are triggered when temperatures reach a level that is hotter than the initial level, as determined by the director. The requirements under this subdivision must include, but are not limited to, water and rest breaks. The duration and frequency of the water and rest breaks must be correlated to certain temperature levels based on the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Index (d) A requirement for employers to observe employees for signs and symptoms of injury or illness related to exposure to heat or work in hot environments. (e) A requirement for employers to collect and report to the director data of employee illness, injury and death related to exposure to heat or work in hot environments. The director shall publish the data in a manner that the director determines is appropriate. (f) Employee training on the prevention of injury or illness related to exposure to heat or work in hot environments. (g) A prohibition on employer retaliation against an employee who reports workplace heat hazards to the department of labor and economic opportunity. (h) An exemption for certain employers. (2) This section does not alter the director's responsibility to initiate the processing of an administrative rule as required under section 14(5) if the United States Department of Labor adopts or promulgates an occupational safety and health standard under the occupational safety and health act of 1970, 29 USC 651 to 678, regarding employees who are exposed to heat or work in hot environments.