Understanding Arizona’s Heat Safety Push: Governor Hobbs’ Executive Order on Occupational Heat Stress

How the new task force will shape workplace protections—and what it means for industry leaders

Arizona's extreme summer temperatures are more than just a seasonal nuisance; they're a serious occupational hazard. In response, Governor Katie Hobbs recently signed Executive Order 2025-09, a landmark initiative directing the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) to establish a Workplace Heat Safety Task Force. That task force will develop statewide heat safety guidelines for employers by the end of the year.

This announcement reflects Arizona's growing leadership in heat resilience, from creating the nation's first Chief Heat Officer to launching a comprehensive extreme heat preparedness plan. In this blog, we'll break down what this order means, explore its potential impact on workplaces across industries, and explain how Kestrel Instruments is ready to support businesses and safety professionals in adapting to the evolving landscape of heat risk management.

Governor Hobbs takes action on workplace heat risk

On May 22, 2025, Governor Hobbs issued Executive Order 2025-09, citing record-breaking heat over the past two summers and the need for structured workplace protections. The order instructs ADOSH to convene a task force comprising industry leaders, worker representatives, and heat safety experts to develop recommended heat guidelines for employers by December 31, 2025. These recommendations will then be submitted to the Industrial Commission of Arizona for consideration.

This follows the state's Heat Stress State Emphasis Program (SEP) launched in 2023, which has already provided more than 460 free employer consultations and contributed to a measurable drop in heat-related worker compensation claims in 2024.

Why this executive order matters for employers

Arizona's existing protections leveraged the General Duty Clause to mandate that employers must keep workplaces free from recognized hazards, including heat. However, the lack of clear, detailed standards made enforcement difficult. This executive order is designed to address this issue by creating concrete heat safety guidelines, including specifics on shade, water, rest breaks, training, and acclimatization, thereby closing gaps left by prior reliance on “best practices.”

Local jurisdictions have already implemented standards: Tucson and Phoenix require city contractors to provide shaded rest areas, hydration stations, and scheduled breaks; Tempe mandates water and shade within a quarter mile and requires 10-minute breaks every two hours during heat advisories. Arizona's new task force will look to build on this and ensure statewide consistency.

What the Heat Safety Task Force will tackle

The task force's mission is to develop enforceable, practical heat safety guidelines. They'll assess current employer practices, review local ordinances, and consider evolving conditions such as climate change, worker demographics, and industry needs.

Key areas will likely include:

• Specific environmental triggers that require action (e.g., temperature and humidity thresholds)
• Mandatory hydration protocols and access to shade or cooling areas
• Work-rest cycles based on heat index or Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) measurements
• Training requirements for heat illness recognition and response
• Acclimatization processes for new or returning workers
• Recognition programs for businesses demonstrating best-in-class heat safety practices

By the end of 2025, the task force will deliver its findings to the Industrial Commission, which will determine whether to codify them into policy or keep them as guidelines.

Impacts across high-risk industries

The executive order is relevant to a wide range of sectors, particularly outdoor and strenuous environments:

• Construction and infrastructure: Workers face direct sun, radiant heat from materials, and often tight deadlines. Clear schedules for breaks and shaded areas will be crucial.
• Agriculture and farming: Seasonal laborers are at increased risk. The task force is expected to recommend measures like frequent shade access, hydration protocols, and acclimatization periods.
• Manufacturing and warehousing: Indoor heat can also be deadly. Facilities with poor ventilation, unfiltered exhaust, or heavy PPE use will benefit from defined indoor heat risk limits.
• Oil and gas, utilities: Workers in remote, harsh conditions will need portable cooling solutions and structured recovery protocols.
• Emergency services and first responders: High-heat PPE adds risk. Guidelines will likely address emergency cooling stations and enforced rest cycles.

Labor representatives and industry stakeholders alike voiced support for uniform guidance that strikes a balance between worker safety and business realities.

Why real-time data matters

Comprehensive heat safety relies on accurate, real-time environmental monitoring. This is where Kestrel Instruments products play a critical role.

Devices such as Kestrel 5400 Heat Stress Meters and Kestrel WBGT Models provide instantaneous readings of temperature, humidity, wind, and solar exposure, allowing supervisors to make informed decisions about when it's time for breaks, shade, or hydration. Real-time alerts and logging functionality make it easy to document compliance with heat safety protocols.

As regulatory guidance evolves, these devices also assist in:

• Validating compliance during inspections
• Proving due diligence during claims proceedings
• Optimizing work-rest schedules based on real conditions
• Raising heat awareness among workers and supervisors

Building a heat safety action plan

To prepare for Arizona's new guidelines, organizations should start creating heat safety action plans now:

1. Conduct a heat risk assessment using Kestrel meters or WBGT tools at job sites.
2. Implement scheduling adjustments, such as cooler shift starts or rotating crews, to minimize exposure.
3. Define hydration stations with accessible water and electrolytes near work areas.
4. Install shade or cooling infrastructure, such as tents, canopies, fans, and misters.
5. Deliver training on heat illness, recognition, and response, verified through frequent toolbox talks.
6. Enforce buddy systems to ensure early identification and assistance during heat stress.
7. Implement environmental monitoring and logging, using Kestrel devices and digital logs to track exposure and rescue efforts.

These measures align with what ADOSH and Arizona's Heat SEP are encouraging employers to adopt—and they anticipate the task force's upcoming recommendations.

The bigger picture: climate, compliance, and culture

Arizona's executive order reflects broader trends:

• Extreme weather is pushing more states to take heat regulation seriously.
• OSHA national emphasis programs on heat are urging federal action alongside state initiatives.
• Insurance data show that heat-related claims are dropping in states where proactive measures are implemented annually.

Beyond compliance, this focus on heat safety signals a cultural shift—employers are increasingly expected to demonstrate proactive care for their workforce. It boosts employee morale, productivity, and reputation.

How Kestrel Instruments supports statewide heat preparedness

Kestrel provides a full suite of wearable and environmental instruments designed to meet evolving guidelines and real-world demands:

• WBGT meters for comprehensive heat risk readings
• Portable heat stress meters with digital logging
• Weather meters for spot checks on job sites
• Training-compatible tools and indicators for toolbox talks
• Mobile and cloud integration for centralized data tracking and alerts

The accuracy, portability, and usability of Kestrel devices make them trusted tools used by occupational safety professionals, industrial managers, and emergency responders.

A proactive future for heat safety in Arizona

Governor Hobbs' Executive Order 2025-09 marks a milestone: Arizona is moving from general duty requirements to a framework of specific, actionable heat safety guidelines. If enacted effectively, the task force's work could serve as a model for other states confronting similar risks.

Businesses that act now—by assessing hazards, investing in monitoring, training staff, and adapting work practices—will be ahead of the curve. They'll be prepared not only for compliance but for a future where occupational heat stress demands attention and action.

Taking action today

Heat doesn't wait, and neither should your heat safety plan. Explore Kestrel Instruments' range of heat monitoring equipment and solutions to build readiness before regulatory guidelines arrive. Protect your team, enhance compliance, and differentiate yourself as a leader in heat safety.