RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE YOU’VE GOT AN ATTIC THAT MIGHT BE 130 DEGREES. PENNSYLVANIA LAWMAKERS ARE BACKING A NEW PIECE OF LEGISLATION TO MAKE EMPLOYERS PROTECT THEIR OUTDOOR WORKERS DURING HEAT. STATE SENATOR TIM KEARNEY, A DEMOCRAT FROM DELAWARE COUNTY, IS ONE OF SEVERAL LAWMAKERS WHO SAY THE LAW WOULD MANDATE WATER SHADE, PAID HEAT BREAKS AND HEAT SAFETY TRAINING WHEN THE HEAT INDEX REACHES 80 DEGREES, WITH STRONGER PROTECTIONS ABOVE 90 DEGREES. SUPPORTERS SAY THE STATE CURRENTLY LACKS HEAT SAFETY STANDARDS AND THAT THE BILL WOULD PROTECT WORKERS SUCH AS ROOFERS, LANDSCAPERS, CONSTRUCTION CREWS AND POSSIBLY INDOOR WORKERS IN HOT ENVIRONMENTS LIKE KITCHE
Pennsylvania lawmakers propose heat safety bill for outdoor workers
Updated: 5:56 PM EDT Jun 8, 2026
Pennsylvania lawmakers are backing legislation to require employers to protect outdoor workers during extreme heat. State Sen. Tim Kearney, a Democrat from Delaware County, is one of several lawmakers supporting the bill, which would mandate water, shade, paid heat breaks, and heat safety training when the heat index reaches 80 degrees, with stronger protections above 90 degrees. Supporters say the state currently lacks heat safety standards, and the bill would protect workers such as roofers, landscapers, construction crews, and possibly indoor workers in hot environments like kitchens and warehouses. The legislation has bipartisan support and a companion version in the House.
Pennsylvania lawmakers are backing legislation to require employers to protect outdoor workers during extreme heat.
State Sen. Tim Kearney, a Democrat from Delaware County, is one of several lawmakers supporting the bill, which would mandate water, shade, paid heat breaks, and heat safety training when the heat index reaches 80 degrees, with stronger protections above 90 degrees.
Supporters say the state currently lacks heat safety standards, and the bill would protect workers such as roofers, landscapers, construction crews, and possibly indoor workers in hot environments like kitchens and warehouses.
The legislation has bipartisan support and a companion version in the House.