Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the Safety and Health Codes Board intends to consider promulgating 16VAC25-210, Heat Illness Prevention Standard. The purpose of the proposed action is to reduce or eliminate employee injuries, illnesses, and fatalities by considering adoption of a comprehensive regulation to address employee exposure to heat illness hazards during indoor and outdoor work activities in all industries under the jurisdiction of the Virginia State Plan for occupational safety and health. Goals of the regulation include (i) identifying methods to reduce or eliminate heat illness hazards and (ii) educating employees and employers about heat-related illness external risk factors, heat-related illness internal risk factors, medical conditions that can contribute to heat illness, symptoms of heat-related illness, and precautions to take to reduce or eliminate heat illness hazards.

A review of existing federal and state regulations, national consensus standards, and guidelines designed to protect employees from heat illness hazards will be conducted. The proposed regulation will address indoor and outdoor heat illness hazards experienced by similarly situated employees in all industries covered by the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health jurisdiction.

The agency intends to hold a public hearing on the proposed action after publication in the Virginia Register.

Statutory Authority: § 40.1-22 of the Code of Virginia; Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (P.L. 91-596)

Public Comment Deadline: June 9, 2021.

Agency Contact: Jay Withrow, Director, Legal Support, Department of Labor and Industry, Main Street Centre, 600 East Main Street, Suite 207, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 786-9873, FAX (804) 786-8418, or email jay.withrow@doli.virginia.gov.