As a longtime operator of full-service restaurants in Virginia, I am opposed to any type of regulations or government oversight on managing the heat in restaurant environments.

It has long been known in our industry that it is hot in the kitchens at certain times. While we go to great expense to provide AC and make up air in our kitchens, there is no hiding the fact that it gets very hot at times. I believe this is a commonsense issue. If any employee gets overheated, they take a break.  They either go to the front of the house for a few minutes to cool down or go in one of the many walk-in coolers they have full access to in order to cool down quickly. We don't need the govt to regulate this....it's a matter of practicality in our industry and we have been self-managing this for many years. 

I have been running restaurants in VA for 47 years and don't recall ONE incident where someone complained it was too hot in the kitchen.  It is a known fact that it gets hot in the kitchen of all restaurants and employees and managers find ways to cool down if it ever gets uncomfortable.  

Workplace safety is of paramount importance, we all agree, but regulating this is unnecessary govt overreach in my opinion.  Employees are smart enough to understand this and never has a truer statement been said: "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!"

Please exempt restaurants from these regulations