Legislation / workplace safety · Outdoor service crews · Updated 2026-09-18
State Heat-Illness Prevention Standards for Outdoor Service Crews (VA 2026 + Pending Map)
By StartBusinessByStatePublisher: Robert SmithResearch process
Quick answer: As of 2026-09-18, 4 states already have an adopted heat-illness prevention standard useful as a baseline for outdoor service employers (CA, OR, WA, plus MN’s indoor-focused standard). Virginia is the 2026 flashpoint: HB1092 / SB288 were approved 2026-04-13 (Chapters 731 / 732) and are effective 2026-07-01 — but that effective date starts the Safety and Health Codes Board’s duty to adopt regulations, not a finished menu of trigger temperatures and rest breaks. 4 states (NJ, MA, AZ, MD) have active 2025–2026 bill packages that are proposed ≠ law. Everyone else in this table has no statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified here (federal OSHA general duty / Heat NEP can still apply).
Not legal advice. This is a legislation / standards-status map for landscaping, HVAC field, and outdoor service managers — not a reprint of QCEW employment counts. For employment × OSHA Heat NEP targeting, see OSHA heat-targeted industry employment by state.
Virginia 2026: duty to write rules ≠ rules in force
On 2026-04-13, the Governor approved twin vehicles:
- HB1092 (LegiScan bill_id
2078380) — Acts of Assembly Chapter 731, effective 2026-07-01 - SB288 (LegiScan bill_id
2082028) — Acts of Assembly Chapter 732, effective 2026-07-01
Both require Virginia’s Safety and Health Codes Board to adopt regulations protecting employees from heat illness during indoor and outdoor work, enforced under the Board’s existing authority. For outdoor landscaping and HVAC install crews, the practical takeaway is: budget for a forthcoming VOSH heat standard, track Board rulemaking, and do not invent trigger temperatures from the statute’s effective date alone. Passed ≠ finished operational rules.
Featured status table
| State | Bucket | Status | Effective / next | Bill watch (IDs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California (CA) | adopted standard | Adopted Cal/OSHA heat-illness prevention standard (outdoor + indoor) | Rules in force (outdoor longstanding; indoor heat effective 2024/2025 path — confirm current Cal/OSHA bulletin) | — |
| Oregon (OR) | adopted standard | Adopted Oregon OSHA heat illness prevention rules | Rules in force (confirm current OR-OSHA heat illness page) | — |
| Washington (WA) | adopted standard | Adopted Washington L&I outdoor heat exposure rules | Rules in force (confirm current L&I outdoor heat page) | — |
| Minnesota (MN) | adopted standard | Adopted MNOSHA indoor heat-stress / heat illness standard (indoor-focused baseline) | Indoor rules in force — do not assume outdoor CA-style triggers exist for MN outdoor crews | — |
| Virginia (VA) | enacted rulemaking duty | 2026 statute directs Safety & Health Codes Board to adopt heat-illness regulations (indoor + outdoor) | Statute effective 2026-07-01; watch Board rulemaking for operational triggers | HB1092 (bill_id 2078380) + SB288 (bill_id 2082028) — Passed / Approved by Governor 2026-04-13; CHAP0731 / CHAP0732; effective 2026-07-01 |
| New Jersey (NJ) | active bills | Active 2026 occupational heat stress / heat-illness prevention packages (introduced) | No statewide heat standard from these bills until enacted + implemented | A1973 (2098081) Introduced 2026-01-13; S1447 (2076399) Introduced 2026-01-13; S4137 (2147669) Introduced 2026-05-11; A1995 (2098697) Introduced 2026-01-13 |
| Massachusetts (MA) | active bills | Active extreme-temperature / heat-illness worker protection bills (introduced) | No adopted statewide private-sector heat standard from these bills as of as-of date | S1367 (1998951) Introduced 2025-02-27 (public sector outdoor); H2172 (2003735) companion; S1355 (1997234); H3995 (2019936); S3240 (2157292) Introduced 2026-08-10 |
| Arizona (AZ) | active bills | Active heat-illness prevention working-conditions bills (introduced) | No AZ statewide heat-illness prevention standard from these bills unless enacted | SB1377 (2091037) Introduced 2026-01-26; HB2928 (2090710) Introduced 2026-01-28 |
| Maryland (MD) | active bills | Active MOSH heat-stress revision bill (introduced) | Pending — not an adopted standard from this bill alone | SB804 (2112731) Introduced 2026-02-06 |
| Colorado (CO) | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | N/A — no statewide adopted standard in this taxonomy | HB1286 (1981867) — Failed 2025-03-27 |
Pending packages (proposed ≠ law)
- New Jersey: A1973 / S1447 (occupational heat stress standard concepts) and S4137 / A1995 (Occupational Heat-Related Illness and Injury Prevention Program) — all Introduced in the 2026 session as of this as-of date.
- Massachusetts: S1367 / H2172 focus on public-sector outdoor workers (narrower than private landscaping). Broader extreme-temperature bills include S1355, H3995, and S3240 (Introduced 2026-08-10).
- Arizona: SB1377 / HB2928 — working conditions; heat illness; prevention — Introduced January 2026.
- Maryland: SB804 — MOSH heat-stress revisions — Introduced 2026-02-06.
- Colorado contrast: HB1286 (Protecting Workers from Extreme Temperatures) Failed 2025-03-27 — listed so operators do not treat old headlines as current law.
What outdoor service operators should do with this map
For a Virginia outdoor-service employer following the rulemaking above, review Virginia landscaping insurance as part of the crew budget. HVAC contractors can compare Virginia HVAC insurance for their own job mix and payroll.
- If you run crews in CA / OR / WA: follow the published state heat-illness rules (water, shade/rest, acclimatization, training) — those are adopted standards, not bill watch items.
- If you operate in Virginia: treat July 1, 2026 as the start of the Board’s rulemaking duty; watch Safety and Health Codes Board publications before rewriting SOPs around guessed trigger temps.
- If you are in NJ / MA / AZ / MD: track the bill IDs above; do not change payroll/SOPs as if a standard already passed.
- Everywhere else: federal OSHA general duty and Heat National Emphasis Program targeting can still create enforcement risk for outdoor work — see the companion employment page, not this legislation map.
For HVAC field crews building commercial maintenance books, see HVAC business guides by state and how to get commercial HVAC maintenance contracts. Landscaping operators should cross-check crew heat planning against their state row in the CSV below.
Full 51-jurisdiction table
| Abbr | State | Bucket | Status summary | Outdoor service scope note | Bill watch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AL | Alabama | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| AK | Alaska | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| AZ | Arizona | active bills | Active heat-illness prevention working-conditions bills (introduced) | Outdoor landscaping/HVAC would be central stakeholders if enacted — not current law | SB1377 (2091037) Introduced 2026-01-26; HB2928 (2090710) Introduced 2026-01-28 |
| AR | Arkansas | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| CA | California | adopted standard | Adopted Cal/OSHA heat-illness prevention standard (outdoor + indoor) | Landscaping, outdoor HVAC install/service, outdoor cleaning — when work is outdoors under published triggers | — |
| CO | Colorado | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | HB1286 (1981867) — Failed 2025-03-27 |
| CT | Connecticut | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| DE | Delaware | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| DC | District of Columbia | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| FL | Florida | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| GA | Georgia | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| HI | Hawaii | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| ID | Idaho | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| IL | Illinois | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| IN | Indiana | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| IA | Iowa | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| KS | Kansas | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| KY | Kentucky | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| LA | Louisiana | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| ME | Maine | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| MD | Maryland | active bills | Active MOSH heat-stress revision bill (introduced) | Would depend on final MOSH scope if enacted | SB804 (2112731) Introduced 2026-02-06 |
| MA | Massachusetts | active bills | Active extreme-temperature / heat-illness worker protection bills (introduced) | Public outdoor workers clearly in some bills; private outdoor service crews only if a broader package becomes law | S1367 (1998951) Introduced 2025-02-27 (public sector outdoor); H2172 (2003735) companion; S1355 (1997234); H3995 (2019936); S3240 (2157292) Introduced 2026-08-10 |
| MI | Michigan | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| MN | Minnesota | adopted standard | Adopted MNOSHA indoor heat-stress / heat illness standard (indoor-focused baseline) | Indoor shop/warehouse HVAC more clearly than outdoor lawn crews | — |
| MS | Mississippi | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| MO | Missouri | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| MT | Montana | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| NE | Nebraska | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| NV | Nevada | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| NH | New Hampshire | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| NJ | New Jersey | active bills | Active 2026 occupational heat stress / heat-illness prevention packages (introduced) | Would reach outdoor service employers if enacted as occupational standards — not current law | A1973 (2098081) Introduced 2026-01-13; S1447 (2076399) Introduced 2026-01-13; S4137 (2147669) Introduced 2026-05-11; A1995 (2098697) Introduced 2026-01-13 |
| NM | New Mexico | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| NY | New York | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| NC | North Carolina | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| ND | North Dakota | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| OH | Ohio | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| OK | Oklahoma | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| OR | Oregon | adopted standard | Adopted Oregon OSHA heat illness prevention rules | Outdoor landscaping / HVAC field work typically in outdoor-employee scope once triggers met | — |
| PA | Pennsylvania | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| RI | Rhode Island | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| SC | South Carolina | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| SD | South Dakota | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| TN | Tennessee | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| TX | Texas | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| UT | Utah | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| VT | Vermont | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| VA | Virginia | enacted rulemaking duty | 2026 statute directs Safety & Health Codes Board to adopt heat-illness regulations (indoor + outdoor) | Indoor and outdoor work per statute — landscaping/HVAC outdoor crews expected in eventual outdoor scope once regs adopt; confirm final regulatory text | HB1092 (bill_id 2078380) + SB288 (bill_id 2082028) — Passed / Approved by Governor 2026-04-13; CHAP0731 / CHAP0732; effective 2026-07-01 |
| WA | Washington | adopted standard | Adopted Washington L&I outdoor heat exposure rules | Outdoor service crews (landscaping, HVAC field) when outdoor heat rules apply | — |
| WV | West Virginia | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| WI | Wisconsin | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
| WY | Wyoming | no statewide standard | No statewide heat-illness prevention standard identified for this table | Outdoor service crews still face federal OSHA heat enforcement risk under general duty / NEP — not a state standard row | — |
Download the dataset: state-heat-illness-standards-outdoor-service-by-state.csv (LegiScan data © contributors, CC BY 4.0; cite LegiScan + state legislature).
Suggested citation: StartBusinessByState.com — State Heat-Illness Prevention Standards for Outdoor Service Crews (VA 2026 + Pending Map). https://startbusinessbystate.com/state-heat-illness-standards-outdoor-service-by-state/. Please credit and link to this page when using our compilation or analysis, and retain the original-source credits and applicable reuse terms.Methods & fences
- Primary bill verification via LegiScan
getBillon VA HB1092 (2078380), VA SB288 (2082028), NJ A1973/S1447/S4137/A1995, MA S1367/H2172/S1355/H3995/S3240, AZ SB1377/HB2928, MD SB804, CO HB1286 — as of 2026-09-18. - VA chapter text / history confirms Governor approval 2026-04-13 and effective 2026-07-01 for Chapters 731/732.
- Baseline adopted-standard rows (CA/OR/WA/MN) use agency heat pages as leads; operators must confirm current regulatory text before compliance decisions.
- Fences: proposed ≠ law; engrossed/enrolled ≠ signed; passed ≠ rules in force without effective date and (often) rulemaking; MN indoor ≠ CA outdoor; this page is not the OSHA heat employment/QCEW magnet.
- Not legal advice. Not a “best state” ranking.