NJ A5022

Requires the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development to establish a heat stress standard by June 1, 2025, mandating employers develop written heat-related illness and injury prevention plans with employee input

Employers must provide potable water (35-77°F), paid rest breaks, access to shade or climate-controlled spaces, emergency response procedures, and annual training on heat illness symptoms and prevention

Prohibits employer retaliation against workers who report heat-related concerns, refuse unsafe work, or participate in proceedings under the act, with civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation

Authorizes the Department to investigate workplaces, issue stop-work orders for non-compliant employers, and assess administrative penalties of $500-$2,000 per affected employee

Exempts amusement parks, emergency operations (firefighting, law enforcement, rescue), and certain unionized construction workers; commercial farms must follow a separate standard developed by the Department of Agriculture