Republicans in Congress are taking aim at efforts to protect workers from extreme heat. The target is a rule proposed by the Biden administration. In March, Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Michigan), chair of the House Education and Workforce Committee, sent a letter to newly confirmed Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer calling for the Department of Labor (DOL) to withdraw from the rule.
Efforts are underway to establish state heat protections for workers. A New Mexico coalition is stressing an urgent need for the state to adopt the strongest possible heat risk standards for indoor and outdoor workers. Draft standards have been issued by the New Mexico Environment Department. They would require a Heat Injury Protection Plan; a Heat Exposure Assessment; acclimatization; hydrating fluids; regular rest breaks; cooling areas; emergency medical care; and training.
Carlos Matutes, community advocate for the environmental group GreenLatinos, points out that 80% of those working in agriculture are Latino, as are 64% of those working in the building trades.
“Depriving them of paid rest periods, of shade, of water during the summer months is unconscionable,” Matutes said. “We’re trying to make sure New Mexico Environment Department establishes these rules as quickly as possible.”
Sources: Truthout, “Trump’s War on OSHA Could Spell the End for Biden-Era Heat Protections,”
Public Service News, Another summer without heat-protection rules for NM’s outdoor workers – Public News Service