Arizona is taking new steps to protect workers from dangerous heat conditions. Governor Katie Hobbs announced that the Workplace Heat Safety Task Force has completed its recommendations and delivered a comprehensive set of Heat Guidelines for Employers to the Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA).
The task force, created through a Governor’s Executive Order earlier in 2025, brought together representatives from business, labor, and industry, along with occupational health experts. Their mission: to establish practical, Arizona-specific safety standards for workers exposed to the state’s extreme summer temperatures.
“These commonsense recommendations focusing on access to water, shade, and rest will keep countless Arizonans out of harm’s way as they put food on the table and push our economy forward,” Hobbs said in a statement.
The new guidelines emphasize four key elements:
Regular access to water, shade, and rest breaks
Acclimatization programs for employees new to outdoor or hot environments
Comprehensive heat safety training for workers and supervisors
Employer Heat Illness Prevention Plans, tailored to industry and site-specific needs
The Industrial Commission’s Director, Gaetano Testini, praised the task force for its collaborative approach. “Heat has long been a recognized hazard, and Arizona faces unique challenges with its variety of climates and industries,” he said, noting that the recommendations provide actionable guidance for employers statewide.
The Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) will now take steps to implement the governor’s directive. Plans include publishing annual data on heat-related incidents, providing template heat plans for employers—especially small businesses—and launching a recognition program to highlight companies that go above and beyond in protecting their workers.
The ADOSH Advisory Committee will publicly review the recommendations on February 4, 2026, before forwarding them to the Industrial Commission for final consideration later in the spring.
Members of the task force, representing construction, agriculture, labor unions, and public health organizations, expressed broad support for the effort. Jason Sangster of Ironworkers Local 75 called the initiative “another win for Arizona workers,” while Local First Arizona’s Jason Lowry noted that clear, flexible guidance will help small businesses keep their employees safe amid rising temperatures.
The full Workplace Heat Safety Task Force recommendations are now available through the ICA, which will continue to release additional resources and templates for employers in the months ahead.
