Labor Department Announces Cold Weather Safety Rules

The New York State Department of Labor on Tuesday announced new guidance for employers to protect outdoor workers during extreme cold weather. During extreme cold events, the guidance advises employers to engage in best practices that include limiting outdoor work, providing frequent breaks in warm areas and scheduling outdoor work during the warmest times of the day. Employers should also ensure access to clean drinking water; have a written plan for handling acclimatization, extreme cold preparedness and emergency response; and train workers and supervisors annually on cold prepa...