Fruit growers in Onondaga County and retail workers in New York City share one commonality: They're working potentially hazardous jobs during the coronavirus pandemic. 

State lawmakers on Wednesday unveield legislation aimed at affording broad safety and worker protection rules in New York during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What You Need To Know

  • As workers return to their jobs, there's a concern employers aren't doing enough to keep them safe from contracting coronavirus.

  • A measure would put in place minimum health and safety standards for workers during the pandemic.

  • The bill would also give protections for workers who file complaints.

  • Labor union leaders are backing the measure.

Known as the NY HERO Act, the proposal would require the state Department of Labor and the Department of Health to set in place minimum standards for safety, which would have fines attached for failure to comply. 

Some of the proposals would build on guidances and orders already put in place by Gov. Andrew Cuomo's administration and public health officials. But if approved the measure would give those guidances the force of law.

Regulations would include protocols for testing, access to personal protective equipment, social distancing, hand washing and engineering controls. 

Employers would also be alowed to have safety rules in place that exceed the state's requirements. And workers would be portected when raising complaints and reporting violations. 

“Too many workers have already sacrificed their health for our community’s benefit," said Sen. Mike Gianaris, a Queens Democrat who is sponsoring the measure. "The New York HERO Act will honor their efforts by giving workers the tools to protect themselves while on the job."

The bill comes as businesses and other work places in New York have gradually been reopening over the last several months. The state's infection rate on average over the last week has been below 1% out of tends of thousands of coronavirus tests that have been conducted. 

But health officials have stressed the threat from the virus remains for New Yorkers. 

“Essential workers have dutifully gone to work day after day during the worst health crisis in a century," said Assemblywoman Karines Reyes, a sponsor of the measure. "The NY HERO Act allows us to use this cataclysm as an opportunity to develop safety standards that will never put profits over lives.”

The measure has the backing, too, of labor leaders as their members return to their jobs.

“Because of the federal government’s failure to ensure workplace safety, we are fighting to create enforceable standards – and not just guidelines – to keep all working New Yorkers safe," said Stuart Appelbaum, the president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union.

"This must be a priority for Albany because it is a priority for all working New Yorkers. I am proud to once again work with our allies Senator Gianaris and Assembly Member Reyes on this critical legislation.”