New Jersey introduced Assembly Bill 5022 and Senate Bill 3884, identical bills that propose state-specific heat injury prevention standards.

The bills would direct the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to define “excessive heat” as a heat index over 85 degrees for most jobs or 80 degrees for indoor work with heavy clothing or high radiant heat.

Employers would be required to take measures such as delaying nonessential tasks during extreme heat, increasing paid rest periods, and ensuring workers have frequent access to water.

The legislation also includes provisions to align New Jersey’s standards with any future federal heat safety regulations, should the federal government adopt a heat prevention standard.