HARDI and 44 other trade organizations have come together to warn Congress about a bill that could reshape how distribution centers operate. The Warehouse Worker Protection Act (S.2613/H.R.4896) may sound narrow in scope, but HVACR distributors say it would ripple across supply chains, slow down deliveries, and drive up costs for contractors who rely on timely access to equipment and parts.
For contractors in the field, this directly affects whether the components you need to keep a job moving arrive on time or end up stalled in a warehouse tied up with red tape.
What the Bill Proposes
The Warehouse Worker Protection Act aims to regulate ergonomics and productivity standards in warehouses. Supporters say it’s about worker safety. But distributors see it differently. The bill is built on an old OSHA ergonomics rule that was struck down more than two decades ago by a bipartisan Congress. At the time, lawmakers agreed it was too vague, too costly, and too difficult to apply consistently across industries.
If revived, the standard would once again require employers to comply with what some say are unclear requirements. The belief is that companies could be forced to make costly changes before OSHA even proves a violation. For distributors already committed to safe workplaces, the bill is seen as dding liability and uncertainty rather than meaningful reform.
Why Industries Are Lining Up Against It
Distributors and their trade associations point to three major problems with the bill:
- Old Rules, New Problems: The OSHA ergonomics rule was pulled for a reason, they argue. It lacked clear standards, opened the door to excessive compliance costs, and didn’t deliver measurable safety improvements. Bringing it back now creates the same problems all over again.
- Costs Before Proof: Under the bill, OSHA could require corrective actions before proving an actual violation. That flips the burden of proof onto businesses, folks argue, forcing them to spend heavily without a fair process.
- Supply Chain Bottlenecks: The legislation would insert OSHA into daily warehouse management, opponents say. For HVACR distributors, where fast, efficient delivery is critical, this could create bottlenecks that affect every contractor waiting on an order.
How HVACR Distribution Gets Hit Hardest
Not every sector handles productivity the same way. Many warehouses in retail or e-commerce rely on quotas and strict performance standards for workers. HVACR distribution doesn’t.
Yet the Warehouse Worker Protection Act would require HVACR distributors to track, disclose, and justify productivity standards they don’t use. The result, industry leaders fear, is wasted time, piles of paperwork, and resources pulled away from safety programs that actually protect workers.
Many believe the bill could slow down order fulfillment at the exact moments when the industry needs speed the most. Think peak cooling season when a chiller is down, or mid-winter when a heating system fails. Delayed shipments of critical parts can leave building owners and tenants without essential services.
Why Contractors Should Take Notice
For contractors, every added layer of cost and delay in distribution lands back on the jobsite. If HVACR distributors face higher operating costs from compliance, those costs will show up in pricing. If warehouses get bogged down in paperwork, delivery timelines slip. That means more downtime for your crews, tighter margins on projects, and frustrated clients when jobs run long.
A Broader Coalition
HARDI isn’t standing alone in this fight. Forty-five organizations from across the economy, from manufacturing to logistics, signed the coalition letter to Congress. Their message is consistent: this legislation would disrupt supply chains and burden businesses without making workplaces any safer.
It’s a rare show of unity across sectors, and it reflects how far-reaching the perceived consequences of this bill would be if passed.
A Better Way to Protect Workers
HARDI and its members stress that worker safety is a priority. Distribution centers already invest heavily in practical safety programs that focus on training, equipment, and workplace culture. These efforts reduce injuries and create safer environments without layering on regulations that don’t fit the industry.
The Warehouse Worker Protection Act, by contrast, arguable revives a failed standard that does little to improve safety. Instead, it risks slowing down HVACR distribution when contractors and building owners need reliability most.
Bottom Line
The Warehouse Worker Protection Act may be pitched as a safety measure, but HVACR distributors see something different: higher costs, slower deliveries, and more paperwork without better outcomes.
That’s why HARDI and its partners are calling on Congress to reject the bill. Worker safety matters, but the solution is practical, proven programs, not outdated regulations that put supply chains at risk.
