Federal heat safety standards advance as Las Vegas outdoor workers face extreme temperatures
As Las Vegas continues to experience triple-digit temperatures this July, federal workplace safety officials are moving forward with unprecedented heat protection rules that could significantly impact how Nevada employers safeguard their outdoor workers.
New federal standards target 80-degree threshold
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) wrapped up public hearings in early July on proposed regulations that would establish the nation’s first federal heat safety standard. The informal public hearing on OSHA’s Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings proposed rule concluded on July 2, 2025.
The proposed rules would require employers to provide specific protections when temperatures reach certain thresholds. At 80 degrees, employers must ensure access to water and shade. When temperatures hit 90 degrees, workers would be entitled to mandatory paid 15-minute rest breaks every two hours.
Local landscapers already adapting to extreme conditions
For workers like Malcolm Terry, a Las Vegas landscaper who regularly works in temperatures reaching 110 to 115 degrees, managing extreme heat has become part of daily life. Terry’s employer, Yellowstone Landscape, has already implemented safety protocols including mandatory breaks every two hours, weekly safety training, and water tanks on all work trucks.
“Hot, it’s hot. We know how to handle the heat,” Terry said, acknowledging the challenges while noting his team’s adaptation strategies.
Nevada’s approach differs from federal proposal
While the federal government pushes for specific temperature-based requirements, Nevada implemented its own heat illness prevention rule in April 2025 that takes a different approach. The Nevada Division of Industrial Relations, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Nevada OSHA), is reminding employers and the public that the state’s new Heat Regulation will go into full enforcement effect on April 29, 2025
Rather than setting specific temperature thresholds, Nevada’s regulation requires employers to assess whether heat presents a hazard in their workplace and develop customized prevention plans accordingly.
“We don’t have temperature thresholds in Nevada. Instead we’re focused on is there a hazard,” explained Victoria Carreón of Nevada OSHA.
Construction industry supports standardized rules
Michael Shohet, president of Compass Development, believes federal standards would help level the playing field across the construction industry. His company hires general contractors for various projects throughout the Las Vegas Valley.
“This is nothing new for us. We’ve been dealing with heat forever since we’ve been working in this valley,” Shohet said. “Having these rules in place provides the means for enforcement for the bad actors.”
Timeline and enforcement considerations
OSHA anticipates finalizing this regulation in late 2025 or early 2026, followed by a 150-day phase-in period. The department is currently reviewing public comments from the recent hearings.
Since the launch, OSHA has conducted more than 5,000 federal heat-related inspections. The agency’s National Emphasis Program on heat hazards has been extended through April 2026, focusing inspections on high-risk industries during heat waves.
Protecting vulnerable workers remains priority
The proposed federal standard would apply across all industries where OSHA has jurisdiction, including construction, agriculture, maritime, and general industry sectors. In addition, the agency is prioritizing programmed inspections in agricultural industries that employ temporary, nonimmigrant H-2A workers for seasonal labor.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 479 workers in the U.S. died from exposure to environmental heat from 2011-2022, an average of 40 fatalities per year in that time period. However, these statistics are widely considered underestimates of the true impact of workplace heat exposure.
What’s next for Nevada employers
If the federal rule is finalized, Nevada can maintain its current regulation as long as it proves equally effective in protecting workers. This flexibility allows the state to continue its hazard-based approach while ensuring workers receive adequate protection.
For now, Las Vegas workers like Terry continue to rely on their employers’ voluntary safety measures and their own heat management strategies. “We try to catch it early and get out of here,” Terry said, emphasizing the importance of timing work around the hottest parts of the day.
As climate patterns continue to bring extreme heat to Southern Nevada, the debate over workplace heat protection standards takes on increasing urgency for the thousands of workers who earn their living under the desert sun.
Image Source: https://news3lv.com/news/local/another-triple-digit-day-renews-calls-for-outdoor-worker-heat-protections-in-nevada-across-us
Category: Local News, Weather
Subcategory: Health & Safety
Date: 07/12/2025
