Nevada lawmakers are considering a measure that would expand worker protections to include air quality standards.
Nevada lawmakers are considering a measure that would expand worker protections to include air quality standards.
Senate Bill 260 would require employers to monitor the air quality index during extreme weather events, such as wildfires. When the air becomes unhealthy, they would have to provide workers with personal protective equipment, such as masks and respirators.
Workers would also not be required to work if the air quality becomes very unhealthy and employers cannot take steps to mitigate health risks.
Democratic Senator Edgar Flores of Las Vegas says the state currently doesn’t have standards to protect workers from poor air quality.
“Unless you've collectively bargained for it, or you have a very strong union behind it, it's not entirely clear at what point we should have a work stoppage, at what point we should trigger basic protections.”
Critics of the bill include the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, Nevada Trucking Association, and Nevada Resort Association. They say the regulations force employers to monitor air quality standards multiple times daily and are overly burdensome.
Editor's note: A previous version of this story was based on the text of SB260 as it was introduced. The story has been updated to reflect changes made by amendments to the legislation.
