After FL Blocks Local Heat Protections, Some FL & Federal Officials Attempt To Address The Issue

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Few would argue that Florida can be incredibly hot when one is working outdoors. In fact, those who have the luxury of doing so will often try to get outdoor chores done in the early morning hours to avoid the heat of the day.

But some Floridians work outdoors as part of their jobs - which is why some have fought for official heat standards for outdoor workers like farmworkers, construction workers, and firefighters.

A Lack Of Heat Protections In Florida: Although there are states like California, Washington, Oregon, Minnesota, and Colorado that offer heat standards for outdoor workers, Florida not only does not have heat protection legislation, but in April of 2024 - right before summer - it banned the state's local municipalities from providing heat protections beyond federal standards effective July 1, 2024.

Workers with organizations like WeCount!, which features immigrants seeking better working conditions, have spoken out. Of the lack of protections, Guillermo Leal, a Venezuelan plumbing worker, has said:

“They truly violate our rights as workers and immigrants. We need to work so we have a voice.”

While some would argue that the ban is business-friendly, some Florida and federal officials are concerned and are working to get some protections federally. Here's how:

Federal Agencies That Could Address Florida's Heat Protections: In June of 2024, U.S. Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su visited South Florida to talk about an upcoming proposal by the U.S. Department of Labor that would create a national heat standard and obviously also apply to Florida. The standard would address shade, water, and paid rest requirements.

On June 11, 2024, there was an announcement that an OSHA Worker Heat Stress Proposal will be reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget.

South Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz attended Su's talk and expressed concern about Florida employees who aren't offering the ability to stay hydrated, saying:

“We all know in South Florida with the heat, the way it’s been, staying hydrated is critical. I can’t even imagine that we have employers that aren’t allowing that.”

Florida Congresswoman Cathy Castor has recently reached out to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Department of Labor and urged "swift action" and the use of "every tool at our disposal" to strengthen resilience against such extreme heat and weather.