Arizona Moves Towards Enhanced Heat Safety Measures for Workers
In the face of Arizona’s notorious summer heat, the Industrial Commission of Arizona is evaluating a series of proposals designed to bolster worker safety. After extensive discussions, a task force comprising members from diverse industries has delivered its findings to the commission, signaling a potential shift in workplace safety protocols.
Despite its sweltering climate, Arizona has historically lacked specific regulations for heat-related workplace safety. In contrast, states like California and Nevada have already implemented state-level standards to address this issue. Governor Katie Hobbs took a significant step earlier this year by assembling a task force aimed at crafting new guidelines to safeguard workers in Arizona from extreme temperatures. This group, representing sectors such as roofing, construction, and firefighting, was tasked with submitting their recommendations by the end of the year to the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health.
The task force’s recommendations suggest that employers should develop comprehensive heat illness prevention plans. These plans would mandate the provision of free potable water, access to shade, and encourage regular rest breaks for workers. Additionally, they call for acclimatization periods and training programs to ensure worker safety under extreme conditions.
Exemptions are proposed for scenarios where heat exposure is minimal or during emergency operations. Governor Hobbs emphasized the practicality of these suggestions, stating, “These commonsense recommendations focusing on access to water, shade, and rest will keep countless Arizonans out of harm’s way.”
However, there are concerns about the lack of enforcement mechanisms in the proposed guidelines. Monica Sandschafer, Arizona State Director of Mi Familia en Acción, expressed apprehension about the absence of a concrete implementation and enforcement strategy. She highlighted the need for the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health to ensure compliance, warning that without enforcement, the guidelines might only be “words on paper.”
An ADOSH advisory committee is set to review these recommendations publicly on February 4. Following their assessment, the Industrial Commission will determine the next steps, with chairman Dennis Kavanaugh noting, “We do have rulemaking authority,” although he cautioned that “state rulemaking is an extensive, lengthy process.” Kavanaugh also mentioned that they are monitoring potential federal regulations being considered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, albeit without a clear timeline for a nationwide standard.
Some local jurisdictions in Arizona have already enacted heat safety rules. Cities like Phoenix, Tucson, and Tempe, along with Pima County, have implemented ordinances, though these apply only to specific groups of workers. Some employees, like Trina David from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, feel these measures are insufficient. David has observed colleagues suffer from extreme heat and stated, “I would like to see real protections that companies will follow and accountability for companies that do not follow those protections.”
David’s experiences underscore the urgency of robust protections, as she describes the airport’s conditions as similar to a “convection oven,” where shoes are prone to melting on the tarmac.
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