by Shannon Heckt, Virginia Mercury
June 19, 2025

With summer officially kicking off on Friday, elected officials and worker advocates are pushing for more state legislation aimed to support people who have to work outside in the hot temperatures.

When a person’s body can’t bring their internal temperature down in these warm climates, it can lead to heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Heat stress is the leading cause of weather-related deaths and can exacerbate underlying illnesses including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental health, and asthma, and can increase the risk of accidents and transmission of some infectious diseases, according to the World Health Organization.

“This is an urgent issue because this affects mainly low wage workers who often don’t have a choice but to go to work … under these extreme heat conditions to be able to make a living,” said Ramón Zepeda Ramos, Economic Justice Organizer of Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy.

Currently, there are no federal rules or statewide regulations of when outside workers should be allowed breaks or access to shade and water when temperatures rise. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is beginning public hearings about a rule proposed by former President Joe Biden’s administration that would trigger shade and water access requirements when the heat index reaches 80 degrees. Additionally, it would require 15 minute breaks every two hours when the heat index reaches 90 degrees.

Advocates said even with the OSHA hearing starting this week, the state needs to take action because OSHA can often take years to implement a rule and there is no clear idea if the current administration would implement such a rule. Also, with federal cuts likely to impact the agency, advocates feel it will be unlikely the rule will be put into effect even if it is passed.

“We can’t keep waiting for federal action that may never come. Every worker deserves dignity of safety, access to water, rest, and shade. Also the ability to speak up without fear,” said Manuel Gago, Worker Justice Program Director at the Legal Aid Justice Center.

According to the Virginia Department of Health, since May 1 of this year, over 400 people have been treated for heat-related illness. Heat impacts can often be difficult to identify so it is likely the true scope of patients with heat-related illnesses is underreported.

Two bills were introduced in the 2025 General Assembly session that looked to provide relief to workers who have to be exposed to the elements. House Bill 1980 and Senate Bill 1103, sponsored by Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Richmond, and Del. Phil Hernandez, D-Norfolk, would have allowed workers impacted by the heat to collect damages of $1000, injunctive relief or both. Both bills were left in the Senate Finance Committee.

“It is a simple strategy that has worked for thousands of years across all of nature,”  Hernandez said in a statement. “Our approach to protecting workers is a novel, data driven approach that examines where workers in Virginia are facing the most risk and tailoring the rules to address those areas.”

The New York Times reported that in a Congressional hearing this week, opponents to the new rule claimed it could cause financial havoc on businesses and communities. Seven states have adopted their own heat protection rules for indoor and outdoor workers.

Virginia Mercury is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Virginia Mercury maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Samantha Willis for questions: info@virginiamercury.com.

The post Virginia advocates, officials push for worker protections from heat appeared first on virginiamercury.com

Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Left-Leaning

This article presents a sympathetic portrayal of worker advocates and Democratic lawmakers calling for heat protection legislation, while emphasizing the urgency of protecting low-wage outdoor laborers. It highlights concerns over the slow pace of federal action and casts doubt on whether the current administration will implement OSHA’s proposed rule. Although it notes opposition to the rules, the framing overwhelmingly favors the perspective of labor rights advocates. The tone and focus on environmental justice, workers’ rights, and criticism of regulatory delays align with a progressive policy outlook, reflecting a Left-Leaning bias overall.

SUMMARY: On this Wellness Wednesday, Theo Lopez from Planet Fitness showcased a summer solstice strength workout to help teens stay active over summer break. Emphasizing both physical and mental health, Lopez demonstrated simple strength exercises like solstice squats, firecracker lunges, and sunshine rows—most of which require little or no equipment. He stressed correct form, consistency, and focusing on repetitions over heavy weights. Planet Fitness is offering a free High School Summer Pass for teens ages 14 to 19, encouraging youth to stay fit. Parents accompanying first-time teen participants can also get a free day pass. Fitness guidance and support are readily available.

Planet Fitness joins us with a firsthand demonstration of the summer solstice strength workout!

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