Outdoor Workers in Texas Are No Longer Guaranteed Water Breaks

Texas Governor, Greg Abbott just gave the final approval to abolish a law that mandates water breaks for construction workers who work outdoors in the sweltering heat. 

ELIMINATING WATER BREAKS

House Bill 2127 was passed earlier this year but Abbott just gave the final approval in the midst of a heat wave. The Bill eliminates many local ordinances that are possibly slowing down business. However, the Bill specifically targets water breaks so that construction workers are guaranteed to stay safe as they work in the heat.

The Bill specifically eliminates a previous ordinance that required 10-minute breaks every four hours so that construction workers can drink water and protect themselves from the sun. The Bill also prevents other cities from passing such rules in the future.

SIGNING THE BILL IN TRIPLE-DIGIT TEMPERATURES

While Texans experience triple-digit temperatures, Abbott and supporters of the Bill continued with approval. The harsh reality is this could create deadly results, which is already an issue in Texas. 

DEADLIEST STATE TO WORK IN THE HEAT

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 42 workers died in Texas between 2011 and 2021 from environmental heat exposure, making it the #1 state where most workers die from high temperatures. Texas already had deadly results with mandatory water breaks but now that workers aren't even guaranteed these rights, the effect could be disastrous.

According to a climate report, "the number of 100-degree days is expected to nearly double by 2036 compared to 2001-2020." House Bill 2127 will go into effect on September 1, 2023.