Florida Legislature Faces Backlash for Banning Heat Safety Measures
In a contentious move, the Florida Legislature has passed a bill barring local jurisdictions from requiring employers to implement heat safety measures like providing access to water, rest, and shade.
This has incited outrage among safety advocates, including the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (National COSH), condemning the decision as neglectful toward worker safety amid rising temperatures due to climate change.
Proponents of the bill, like State Sen. Jay Trumbull, argue that it aims to avoid a "patchwork of regulation" across the state and insists on following OSHA’s general duty clause, which broadly requires workplaces to be free from serious recognized hazards. However, critics argue that this approach fails to acknowledge the specific and immediate dangers of heat exposure, particularly in a state notorious for its extreme climate.
With final approval, the bill now awaits Governor Ron DeSantis's signature, potentially delaying state-specific heat safety regulations until 2028, sparking a critical debate on worker protection in Florida's extreme heat. To learn more, click here.
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