"Extreme Heat Exposes Outdoor Workers to Few Legal Protections: New Rules Implemented"

Texas construction workers are set to lose their right to rest breaks as a new law, HB 2127, takes effect on September 1. The law, signed by Governor Greg Abbott, overturns local ordinances in cities like Austin and Dallas that mandate regular rest breaks for construction workers. This comes as Texas experiences a record-breaking heat wave, with temperatures reaching 105 degrees or more for 11 consecutive days in Austin. Advocates warn that the lack of rest breaks poses serious health risks for workers, as heat-related incidents and deaths are already a concern in the state. Critics argue that the law undermines worker safety and removes important protections for construction workers in extreme heat conditions.