Congratulations to Florida and Texas for passing new laws barring local governments from protecting workers from heat-related injuries!
This at a time when global warming is leading to record heat waves with temperatures hitting – and staying at – record highs for days on end.
Last week WorkCompCentral informed us that Florida is about to join Texas in prohibiting local governments from instituting heat protections from workers. This from a state with record high temperatures last summer…
Florida’s move is especially egregious; Florida does not have its own occupational health regulations but relies on OSHA and Federal regulations. But, the Feds continue to drag their feet on national protections for workers exposed to excessive heat…so the new law effectively prohibits ANY protections from heat-related injuries.
Politicians in Florida and Texas are doing their best to kill more workers. That is NOT hyperbole…and is especially hypocritical because Florida passed legislation protecting student athletes from heat.
But hey, in the air-conditioned offices in Tallahassee, with the brocade curtains drawn, one doesn’t see the workers outside the windows mowing lawns and doing landscaping.
Colorado, Oregon, and Washington have rules for outdoor workers.
Minnesota and Oregon also have indoor heat standards.
A committee in California’s State Senate passed a bill doing just that two weeks ago; hopefully that bill will be signed into law.
What does this mean for you?
More deaths, more heat injuries, higher premiums, and more devastated families.
Here’s hoping the industry’s “thought leaders” weigh in on this travesty.
No such thing as global warming
Unfortunately seems some actually believe that Dan!
be well Joe
Maybe they’re trying to force the feds’ hand to come up with national regulations. Wishful thinking, sure, but maybe it will be an unintended consequence?
thanks for the positive spin Stephen…given the lack of foresight on the part of these politicians one can only hope!
be well Joe