1. A. As used in this section:

   "Board" means the Safety and Health Codes Board.

   "Employer" means any employer subject to jurisdiction of the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Program under 16VAC25-60.

   "Heat illness" means a serious medical condition resulting from the body's inability to cope with a particular heat load and includes heat cramps, heat rash, heat edema, heat exhaustion, heat syncope, rhabdomyolysis, and heat stroke.

   "Worker" means an employee, independent contractor, or other laborer whose worksite conditions are controlled by an employer.

2. B. The Board shall adopt regulations establishing standards designed to protect workers from heat illness during indoor and outdoor work. Such standards shall include requirements for each employer to (i) provide water, access to shade or climate-controlled environments when practicable, rest periods, acclimatization to working in heat, and effective training regarding heat illness prevention; (ii) implement heat and high-heat procedures when the temperature equals or exceeds heat thresholds set by the Board; and (iii) establish effective emergency response procedures. There shall be exemptions for (a) heat exposure during the provision of emergency services that involve emergency law enforcement, emergency medical services, firefighting services, rescue and evacuation operations, emergency highway construction or maintenance, or emergency restoration of essential utilities, including electric and telecommunication utilities, and (b) heat exposure lasting no longer than 15 consecutive minutes.
3. C. The regulations adopted by the Board pursuant to this section shall be enforced as specified in §§ 40.1-49.3 through 40.1-49.7.

2026, cc. 731, 732.