This commentary is by Curtis Clough, president of Teamsters Local 597.Vermont is no stranger to extreme weather. In the summer, heat waves bake our roads and fields, pushing outdoor workers to their limits. In the winter, bitter cold and heavy snowfall make everyday tasks dangerous. As climate chang e affects the entire planet, these problems are only going to increase. Despite these harsh conditions, too many employers fail to provide the most basic protection for the workers who keep our state running. That’s why Teamsters are partnering with Rep. Conor Casey to advocate for H.348, the extreme temperature worker protection bill.This vital piece of legislation will ensure that all Vermont workers exposed to extreme weather — union and nonunion alike — have the safeguards they need to do their jobs safely. H.348 will require employers to provide essentials like adequate shade, drinking water, heat in vehicles and buildings and guaranteed rest breaks. These are not luxuries — they are necessities that save lives.Heat stroke, hypothermia, frostbite and dehydration can have long-term consequences and, in some cases, can be fatal. They can also create safety issues that one couldn’t possibly predict in advance.Last winter, the Teamsters Union had to intervene at a workplace where an emergency eyewash station was frozen solid. Imagine a worker exposed to hazardous materials racing to an eyewash station in a moment of crisis only to find it unusable. In another incident, a vehicle literally floated away in a flood, endangering both the driver and the surrounding community. These situations highlight the real and immediate risks faced by workers in extreme temperatures. Union members are lucky that they have recourse for when these things happen — most workers can’t do anything about it. No one should have to risk their safety just to earn a paycheck.The Teamsters represent workers in every industry, in both the private and public sectors. Most of our members in Vermont work either outdoors, in vehicles or in warehouses. When temperatures rise, workers suffer from heat exhaustion. When temperatures plummet, those same workers face frostbite and hypothermia. The cost of mitigating safety risks brought on by extreme temperatures is marginal for an employer. For a worker, not mitigating these risks can cost them their life.H.348 takes a proactive approach to protecting workers. It mandates that supervisors and managers receive proper training to recognize signs of temperature-related illnesses and ensure that workers have access to the necessary protective equipment. It also requires that heating and cooling equipment be maintained in functional condition.One of the most important provisions in this bill is the protection of workers in vehicles. Whether it’s a delivery driver dropping off packages or a utility worker driving between job sites, employees who spend extended time in vehicles should not be left to suffer through sweltering heat or freezing cold without adequate insulation and temperature control. The bill ensures that workers in vehicles have proper heating and cooling, keeping them safe while on the road.Additionally, the bill establishes a clear system for reporting hazardous conditions, ensuring that workers can speak up without fear of retaliation. No one should have to choose between their job and their safety. Unfortunately, we know that in many workplaces, workers who raise concerns are ignored or, worse, punished for doing so. The bill guarantees that workers can report dangerous conditions without the threat of losing their livelihood.Protecting workers from extreme temperatures is not an excessive demand. These are fundamental rights that any responsible employer should already be providing. We’ve seen the dangers firsthand in Vermont, and we can’t wait for a tragedy to ignite a response.It’s time for lawmakers to stand with workers and pass the extreme temperature worker protection bill. Our economy relies on the hard work of Teamsters and other union members throughout the state. We owe it to them to provide the protection they need to stay safe and healthy on the job.Extreme weather is a fact of life in Vermont. Protecting workers should be, too.Read the story on VTDigger here: Curtis Clough: To protect Vermont’s essential workers, pass the extreme temperature worker protection bill. ...read more read less