Concerns about the lack of safety for outdoor workers are growing in Florida as temperatures rise, partly due to new laws that Governor Ron DeSantis approved. The new rule, which forbids towns from providing heat protections for employees, has angered people and raised concerns about worker safety.
Workers in south Florida who labor outside, like Javier Torres, are especially susceptible to the intense heat. Throughout his years in construction, Torres has seen coworkers experience heat-related diseases, some of which have resulted in fatalities. The new law denies laborers like him any way out of the harsh circumstances, even with the risks involved.
Employers frequently neglect to give outdoor workers enough water and shade, which puts them at risk for heat exhaustion and dehydration. Without legally enforced breaks, employees are left to fend for themselves, putting their health and safety at risk in order to make a living.
The impending threat of climate change, which is expected to aggravate heatwaves and other extreme weather occurrences, exacerbates the ramifications of the Act. Florida has already seen record-breaking temperatures, and estimates indicate that the summer will be hotter than usual.
The law’s opponents contend that it prioritizes corporate interests over the welfare of employees and places money over people. They cite laws in other states (Phoenix, for example) that require heat safeguards to protect employees from heat-related ailments.
Action has been demanded in response to the incident; some have called for a recall clause in order to make Governor DeSantis responsible for his actions. Some are quoting biblical lessons to advocate empathy and compassion for people who work in difficult circumstances.
The situation facing Florida’s outdoor laborers highlights the critical need for laws that put worker safety and wellbeing first in the face of growing climatic concerns, even as the debate rages on.