Heat Safety Is a Worker's Right

And in South Florida, it’s an urgent fight.

Extreme heat is no longer just a summer inconvenience—it’s a workplace emergency. With record-breaking temperatures and humidity levels rising across South Florida, workers are being pushed to the brink without adequate protections.

From Miami construction sites to Broward classrooms, from agricultural fields in Homestead to delivery routes in Fort Lauderdale—working people are suffering in unsafe, sweltering conditions while employers and lawmakers fall behind.

The Problem

The Heat Crisis in South Florida

South Florida faces one of the highest rates of extreme heat days in the country. And with climate change accelerating, the danger is only growing:

• Workers in construction, agriculture, transit, and hospitality are especially vulnerable
• Outdoor workers often lack shade, breaks, or water
• Indoor workers face stifling conditions in non-air-conditioned warehouses, buses, and school buildings
• Heat stress increases accidents, illnesses, and long-term health damage

Florida ranks among the top 5 states for heat-related workplace injuries and deaths (OSHA data, 2023). And yet—Florida still has no statewide heat safety standard for workers.

The Solution

We Demand Protections that Match the Heat

South Florida AFL-CIO member unions are leading the charge for strong, enforceable protections to address the region’s escalating heat crisis. Workers need more than encouragement—they need clear rights, backed by policy and enforceable standards.

Our Heat Safety Demands:

• Regular, paid rest breaks in shaded or cooled areas to prevent heat exhaustion
• Cold, clean drinking water made available at all work locations—at all times
• Emergency protocols activated when temperatures or heat indexes reach dangerous levels
• Heat safety training for all workers, supervisors, and managers—before heat season begins
• Whistleblower protections that shield workers from retaliation for reporting unsafe heat conditions
• Local and state policies that match the scale of the climate crisis and put people over profit

Moreover, we strongly supports the Florida Worker Heat Protection Act, a vital piece of legislation that would establish the first statewide, enforceable standards for on-the-job heat safety.

The act sets clear requirements for access to shade and rest breaks whenever temperatures reach dangerous levels, ensures that all high-heat worksites provide drinking water, emergency response protocols, and acclimatization periods for new or returning workers, and applies broadly to both public and private sector employees—including those in agriculture, construction, and delivery.

It creates enforceable oversight mechanisms through the Florida Department of Health and Department of Labor, while also preserving the power of local governments to pass even stronger protections without being blocked by state preemption.

With Florida among the hottest and most worker-vulnerable states in the country, passing this act is not just smart policy—it’s a moral necessity. The labor movement stands united with environmental justice groups, farmworker organizations, and community allies across South Florida in demanding real legislative action. Our workers can’t wait for another summer.

Resources

Heat Safety and Worker Protections Heat Safety Fact Sheet (PDF)
Quick tips for recognizing and preventing heat-related illnesses on the job. Ideal for sharing with coworkers or posting at worksites.

Know Your Rights: Heat Exposure Protections
Learn about your legal rights and employer responsibilities regarding heat exposure. Protect yourself from dangerous work conditions.

OSHA Heat Stress Guide
A detailed guide to heat stress symptoms, prevention strategies, and safety standards. Includes tools for both employers and workers.