CO HB1272

Summary of HB 26-1272: Protections for Workers Necessitated by Climate Change

• Department of Labor and Employment must begin collecting data on temperature-related workplace injuries, illnesses, and emergencies by January 1, 2027, including creating a public reporting platform and obtaining data from public health surveillance, workers' compensation, and the Center for Improving Value in Health Care.

• Division of Labor Standards and Statistics must develop a model Temperature-Related Injury and Illness Prevention Plan (TRIIPP) by January 1, 2028, covering temperature monitoring, heat/cold triggers, cool-down and warm-up breaks, access to potable drinking water, shade, and climate-appropriate rest areas.

• Employers with workers exposed to extreme temperatures must submit their own TRIIPP to the division for review by September 1, 2028, with procedures established for ongoing updates and compliance review.

• Department must develop training standards for temperature-related injury prevention and ensure employers properly train affected workers, with penalties authorized for non-compliance.

• Workers retain all rights under the Workers' Compensation Act in addition to remedies under this bill, and collective bargaining agreements providing equal or greater protections are not superseded.