Arizona lawmakers considering three bills to create heat rules

Arizona lawmakers are doubling down on efforts to create a heat standard to protect workers from extreme temperatures.

H.B. 2790, made public Thursday, would create a safety standard that would apply to all workers but would call on the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health to create industry-specific rules for several industries, including agriculture, construction, landscaping, oil and gas, mail and packing and transportation.

Similar bills have been introduced in recent weeks, including S.B. 1330, introduced Monday, and H.B. 2382, introduced on Jan. 21.

Each proposal addresses rest periods, shade and water requirements, emergency plans, training, and enforcement.