Florida Policy Institute urges leaders to take action to protect workers from heat

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — In response to a new state law that requires a local ordinance mandating heat breaks for workers, the Florida Policy Institute said state action is needed to protect the nearly half-million Floridians who work outdoors.

The state passed the preemption law during the most recent legislative session, and Gov. Ron DeSantis signed it into law. The preemption came after local cities and communities across the state began passing regulations mandating breaks and other requirements for out-of-state workers.

Because local laws take precedence and there are no state laws requiring any protections, employers have the choice of providing breaks or other protections.

The Florida Policy Institute said nearly half a million workers in the state work outdoors, mostly in construction, entertainment, recreation and landscaping. It also said nearly 26% of all Florida residents (5,750,273) are “highly vulnerable to extreme heat,” with more than a third in 20 counties being highly vulnerable.

According to the FPI, “statewide policy intervention” was “of paramount importance” and the state needed to “increase awareness of heat-related illnesses, end heat exposure prevention measures, and pass a statewide law that applies to all outdoor workers.”