News Summary
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has signed an executive order to create a task force focused on enhancing workplace safety considering extreme heat risks. Comprised of labor groups, private sector representatives, and safety advocates, the task force aims to develop comprehensive heat safety guidelines by the end of 2023. This initiative seeks to standardize heat safety practices across various industries in Arizona, addressing the significant risks posed by high temperatures that affect many workers in the state.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has signed an executive order to launch a new task force aimed at enhancing workplace safety regarding extreme heat risks. This initiative is critical for protecting workers in the state, particularly as Arizona experiences some of the highest temperatures in the nation during the summer months.
The newly established task force will comprise labor groups, occupational safety advocates, and representatives from the private sector, including the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Arizona Manufacturers Council. The primary objective of this task force is to draft and recommend comprehensive heat safety guidelines for employers by the end of 2023. This move is part of a broader commitment to ensuring that all Arizonans can work in safe conditions.
Governor Hobbs highlighted the importance of prioritizing worker safety across various sectors, underscoring that all workers deserve protection in environments where heat stress poses significant risks. Grace Appelbe will take the lead for the Arizona Chamber and Manufacturers Council on the task force, focusing on creating solutions that are specifically tailored to accommodate Arizona’s diverse industries and climates.
In addition to the representatives from the private sector, the task force will include notable organized labor groups such as AFSCME, Ironworkers Local 75, and Unite Here Local 11, ensuring that a wide range of perspectives is considered. Together, these participants aim to standardize heat safety practices across the state, recognizing that approximately one in five workers in Arizona is engaged in industries vulnerable to high heat exposure.
This initiative builds on previous actions taken under the Industrial Commission’s Heat Stress State Emphasis Program (SEP), which launched in July 2023. The SEP was designed to mitigate heat-related illnesses and injuries through increased inspections, training, and compliance assistance. As a result of the programs implemented by the Hobbs administration, the state has reported a decrease in heat-related workers’ compensation claims in 2024.
The formation of the task force also aligns with other significant state initiatives, including the state’s Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan and the appointment of Arizona’s first Chief Heat Officer. These measures are part of a comprehensive strategy to address the challenges posed by extreme heat, drawing inspiration from recent regulatory advancements in other states such as New Mexico, California, and Nevada, which have also established workplace heat risk regulations.
Furthermore, the executive order mandates the development of a recognition program for employers who exceed basic safety requirements in terms of heat safety. This program aims to incentivize proactive measures among companies and showcase those that prioritize the health and safety of their employees.
Industry leaders have expressed support for the initiative, noting that clearer guidelines will benefit both workers and employers. Providing detailed recommendations will clarify responsibilities regarding heat safety, fostering a safer work environment across Arizona’s various industries.
Once drafted, the task force’s recommendations will be submitted to the Industrial Commission of Arizona for review and potential implementation, marking a significant step toward improving the safety and well-being of Arizona’s workforce in hot conditions.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Arizona Chamber News
- Occupational Health & Safety Online
- Arizona Capitol Times
- Tucson.com
- ABC15 News
- Wikipedia: Occupational Safety and Health
- Google Search: Workplace Heat Safety
- Google Scholar: Occupational Heat Stress
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Heat Stress
- Google News: Arizona Workplace Safety
