After Miami's hottest summer, Florida looks set to ban local heat protections for workers
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On extremely hot days, many outdoor workers in Florida often lack access to three basic accommodations: water, shade and rest breaks.
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But Republicans in the state legislature are trying to stop cities and counties from adopting local workplace heat standards.
Under a state legislation under consideration, local governments would lose the ability to guarantee outdoor workers access to shade, clean water, rest breaks and even heat safety training. Instead state lawmakers would have the sole authority to determine heat protection standards that go beyond federal rules.
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If passed, not only would the legislation make all local heat protection measures "void and prohibited" — it would also delay the state’s authority to enact its own heat standards until 2028.
“We’re going to follow OSHA’s rule,” Trumbull said, referring to the federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration.
OSHA’s “general duty rule” requires employers to provide workplaces that are “free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.” The agency lists extreme heat as one of those hazards.
But workers-rights advocates say it’s hardly enforced.
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