The Miami-Dade County Commission unanimously passed the first reading of an ordinance last week that would create a heat standard for outdoor workers.
The big picture: Miami-Dade County has an estimated 327,321 outdoor workers. The ordinance would cover the approximately 80,000 who work in agriculture and construction.
The ordinance would require certain agriculture and construction employers to provide access to drinking water and shaded recovery periods. Employers would also be required to train workers and supervisors on heat safety. Companies that fail to comply could face fines of up to $3,000 per violation per day.
What’s next: The ordinance will go to a committee in September. It needs to pass a committee vote and a final vote in front of the full commission to become law.
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