Virginia Heat-Safety Standards Needed Amid Uncertainty of Federal Proposal
RICHMOND, VA — Work-related illnesses and injuries from extreme weather exposure are on the rise in Virginia. More than 1.2 million Virginians work in high-risk industries and are inadequately protected, according to new analysis from NRDC and partner groups. In June 2025, a severe heat wave set a record for heat-related illnesses across the state, with 828 people seen at urgent care clinics and emergency rooms for heat-exposure illnesses over the course of four days.
“Extreme heat poses a range of preventable harms, ranging from loss of productivity to worker health problems,” said Juanita Constible, senior advocate for environmental health at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council).
In 2021, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) began developing the nation’s first ever federal heat safety standards. More than 540 Virginia residents voiced their support for the proposal during the recent public comment period.
NRDC and other environmental health advocates analyzed the public comments and OSHA’s proposed policies in this report. However, the report notes, “The future of OSHA’s proposed heat standards is currently unclear, particularly given the current U.S. Department of Labor’s priority of repealing existing labor standards and worker protections.”
Given the lack of urgency at the federal level to protect workers, NRDC is calling for Virginia leaders to protect workers across the commonwealth and develop statewide heat standards. Commonsense safeguards for workers include:
- Written heat illness prevention plans
- Heat training for workers and supervisors
- Scheduled and/or paid preventative worker safety breaks
- Access to water and shaded areas
State actions on heat protections for workers have slowly gained support since 2020. To date, seven states have adopted extreme weather safety standards; 18 other states saw similar bills filed this year.
NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).