Massachusetts Bill Mandates Employer Reporting of Temperature-Related Illnesses and Fatalities
A bill in Massachusetts, S.3240, mandates that employers collect and maintain data on all temperature-related illnesses and fatalities occurring at both outdoor and indoor worksites. This legislation defines 'cold illness' to include serious medical conditions such as trench foot, frostbite, hypothermia, and chilblains, resulting from the body's inability to cope with cold temperatures. Employers will be required to make these records available to employees, government offices, or employee representatives within one business day upon request, at no cost. Non-compliance with these recordkeeping and written-program requirements will subject employers to fines. The bill also outlines provisions for anti-retaliation against employees who report hazardous conditions or illnesses, and establishes employer liability for care in cases of disability or death resulting from temperature-related working conditions.
