Stuart Announces Warehouse Safety Task Force Recommendations

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, and the Warehouse Safety Task Force have finalized their report, which contains recommendations to improve warehouse safety standards in Illinois, following a deadly tornado in Edwardsville in 2021, which resulted in the loss of six lives. 

“The recommendations provided by the task force are aimed at improving the current warehouse safety standards and help prevent another tragedy from occurring,” said Stuart. “I want to extend my gratitude and sincere appreciation for all those who have been involved throughout the process, particularly to the families of the victims of the 2021 tornado. We can’t bring their loved ones back but, in their memory, we can prevent other families from suffering as they have. I would like to thank the family of Clayton Cope, who lost their son and brother in the 2021 tornado, for their diligence and support throughout this process and for keeping the task force grounded in the importance of our work.”

Stuart voted to adopt recommendations that address emergency response, safety planning and procedures, and building code enforcement and requirements. The task force has recommended investing in the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System and that the investment be proportional to each warehouse’s tornado risk, size, and occupancy during working hours. Additionally, every warehouse would be required to have site-specific emergency plans based on federal guidelines and to share its emergency plan with local emergency response teams. Each site would also be required to conduct regular safety drills and training in each language spoken by the employees. 

The task force also recommends requiring state-wide certification requirements for building code inspectors. This certification requirement will be supported by the community college system to increase the number of code inspectors. Lastly, the task force recommends amending the International Building code to require tornado shelters for warehouses, based on occupancy and size. 

“If these recommendations are adopted, Illinois stands to become a nationwide leader in warehouse emergency response and safety standards,” said Stuart. “Everyone should have a safe and secure place to work, where foreseeable hazards are addressed in the availability and design of equipment and facilities, As the frequency and severity of tornadoes increases, it is essential to prepare for future weather events to protect our warehouse workers.”