Millville hears heat-illness prevention briefing from Hardenberg Insurance

A Hardenberg Insurance representative warned Millville City officials that heat poses a growing workplace hazard and outlined steps the city can take to reduce employee risk.

Joe Henry, a representative of Hardenberg Insurance Group, told the City Commission during the work session that excessive heat is a leading weather-related cause of death and that municipalities should have a written heat-stress policy. "When it gets excessively hot and we have a heat wave, your workers are at risk," Henry said.

Henry placed the briefing in the context of federal workplace-safety guidance, noting the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and ongoing federal work since 2021 on an injury-and-illness prevention standard. He described common administrative controls — modifying work schedules to avoid the hottest hours, instituting buddy systems and extra breaks, providing water and shade, and delivering training to supervisors and employees — and urged periodic review of any local policy to ensure compliance with evolving federal guidance.

Henry recommended that the city designate a supervisor to manage heat-safety training and hydration policies, and said Hardenberg has a template policy available online for municipalities. "Hydration is key," he said, adding that a fillable form is available on the insurer's website for local officials to adapt.

The presentation described heat-illness symptoms (from cramps to heat exhaustion and heat stroke) and advised calling 911 if symptoms appear severe. Henry and commissioners framed the briefing as preventive guidance; commissioners did not move or vote on a formal heat policy during the session. The presentation concluded with a request that city staff consider scheduling the recommended training and review of existing procedures.

No binding action was taken during the work session; the briefing was given for the commission's information and possible follow-up by staff.