A bill that would require New Jersey employers to better protect their workers from dangerous heat on the job moved closer to becoming law Monday.Representatives from farming and industry groups are opposing the legislation, which they argue is redundant and a strain on those trying to run their operations in a tough business climate.
Sen. Joe Cryan, a Democrat from Union and the sponsor of the bill, said the measures the bill calls for are “common sense” Among those on hand to speak in favor of the bill Monday was Gerardo Cortez, a UPS driver and shop steward for Teamsters Local 177, which represents truck drivers and mechanics. Cortez said that on hot days, he gets calls from drivers and warehouse workers in his union who are struggling in the heat and it's his job to tell them to find a shady spot, drink some water and rest.
“We understand that there are several more steps in the process to come, but we're confident that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle will understand the importance of this bill and will cast yes votes to make sure that New Jersey workers are protected as the impacts of climate change advance and worsen,” he said.Ashley Kerr, a research associate with New Jersey Farm Bureau, which has 6,500 members across the state’s $1.
Kerr said that a few items in the bill had farmers “scratching our heads” — most significantly, the authority for the state Department of Labor to issue fines or issue stop work orders if a violation is found.