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The federal government is in the midst of a yearslong process to draft heat safety rules, and only six states have their own regulations that guarantee laborers access to water, rest and shade — the three elements that medical professionals say can protect workers from heat illness.
The federal government is in the midst of a yearslong process to draft heat safety rules, and only 6 states have their own regulations that guarantee laborers access to water, rest and shade.
A new Texas law meant to reduce a 'patchwork' of local rules is drawing attention for its potential impact on worker water breaks amid a heat wave.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images(AUSTIN, Texas) -- A new Texas law that overrides city and county ordinances will also eliminate protections currently in place for workers, such as mandated water breaks, even in extreme heat, according to critics. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 2127 on June 13, which aims to remove "patchwork" local ordinances around the state. The law goes into effect on Sept. 1 and would put an end to safeguards such as the ordinance the City of Austin passed in 2010 that requires rest and water breaks on construction sites for at least 10 minutes every four ho...
Brandon Bell/Getty Images(AUSTIN, Texas) -- A new Texas law that overrides city and county ordinances will also eliminate protections currently in place for workers, such as mandated water breaks, even in extreme heat, according to critics. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 2127 on June 13, which aims to remove "patchwork" local ordinances around the state. The law goes into effect on Sept. 1 and would put an end to safeguards such as the ordinance the City of Austin passed in 2010 that requires rest and water breaks on construction sites for at least 10 minutes every four ho...