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SB 288

Protection of employees; standards for heat illness prevention, report.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lashrecse Aird

SB 288 mandates Virginia employers implement heat illness prevention standards including hydration, rest periods, and worker monitoring to reduce temperature-related workplace injuries.

Approved by Governor-Chapter 732 (effective 7/1/2026)
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Bill Summary · SB 288

Legislative bill overview

SB 288 establishes mandatory heat illness prevention standards for Virginia employers and requires them to implement protective measures for workers exposed to high temperatures. The bill directs the state to develop and enforce guidelines for heat-related worker safety, including rest periods, hydration access, and heat acclimatization protocols.

Why is this important

Heat-related illnesses cause significant worker injuries and deaths, particularly among outdoor and manual laborers. Clear state standards create uniform protections across industries and reduce preventable workplace casualties while establishing baseline expectations for employer responsibility in high-temperature conditions.

Potential points of contention

  • Business compliance costs: Small employers may face expenses implementing cooling facilities, monitoring systems, and modified work schedules, particularly in agriculture and construction sectors
  • Enforcement mechanism: Unclear how violations will be monitored, reported, and penalized, and whether additional state resources are allocated for compliance oversight
  • Specificity of standards: The bill's substitute language suggests standards are still being defined, raising questions about whether requirements will be appropriately tailored to different work environments or if one-size-fits-all rules could be impractical

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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