Florida Governor Ron DeStantis recently signed a law preventing cities or counties from implementing protections for outdoor workers exposed to extreme heat. This decision affects over two million workers in Florida, such as those in construction and agriculture, who endure scorching temperatures while working. Miami-Dade County, home to a significant number of outdoor workers, had been working on local heat protection rules, but these efforts were halted after the statewide bill was passed.
Despite the increasing risks associated with heat exposure, there are no federal regulations in place to protect workers from extreme heat conditions. The absence of consistent guidelines has led to a patchwork of state and local rules, with some states like California, Oregon, and Washington implementing their own protections. However, efforts in states like Texas and now Florida have been met with resistance, blocking local attempts to create protective measures for outdoor workers.
With climate change exacerbating heatwaves and heat-related illnesses, the need for federal regulations to safeguard workers across the country is becoming increasingly urgent. While OSHA is working on developing national heat protection rules, the state-level discrepancies leave many workers vulnerable to heat-related injuries and fatalities. The community-led initiatives, such as the Fair Food Program developed by organizations like the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, are stepping in to provide safe working conditions for outdoor laborers until stricter regulations are put in place.