Arizona House Bill 2790 would require the Industrial Commission to adopt rules establishing standards for every industry that may be affected by heat illness while engaged in indoor and outdoor work. The commission would create specific standards for the following industries:
- Agriculture
- Construction
- Landscaping
- Oil and gas extraction
- Airport workers
- Mail and package delivery workers
- Transportation
Like other heat protection bills, there are requirements for water breaks, access to shaded break areas, mandatory hydration breaks, and different sets of rules based on how high temperatures are. Similar bills, including Arizona Senate Bill 1330 and House Bill 2382 were also introduced recently.
In related news, Illinois Senate Bill 2501 would require the Director of Labor to adopt rules to establish excessive heat and excessive cold standards by January 1, 2026. The rules would apply to temperatures below 40 degrees or above 90 degrees.
The bill requires that each employer develop, implement, and maintain a plan to effectively prevent temperature-related illness and injury for its employees. Additional requirements include water and shade breaks, temperature acclimatization, retaliation protections, and the right for regulators to issue a temporary emergency cease and desist order to halt any conduct of the employer that is warranted by public health and safety concerns or is in violation of the regulations.
