Texas Gov Signs Bill Nullifying Local Laws That Mandate Water Breaks For Construction Workers: Cruelty/Point

The Texas Tribune reports:

In a week when parts of the state are getting triple-digit temperatures and weather officials urge Texans to stay cool and hydrated, Gov. Greg Abbott gave final approval to a law that will eliminate local rules mandating water breaks for construction workers. House Bill 2127 was passed by the Texas Legislature during this year’s regular legislative session. Abbott signed it Tuesday. It will go into effect on Sept. 1.

Supporters of the law have said it will eliminate a patchwork of local ordinances across the state that bog down businesses. The law’s scope is broad but ordinances that establish minimum breaks in the workplace are one of the explicit targets. The law will nullify ordinances that established 10-minute breaks every four hours so that construction workers can drink water and protect themselves from the sun. It also prevents other cities from passing such rules in the future.

Read the full article.

Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill that will nullify local laws mandating water breaks for construction workers — despite Texas being first in work-related heat exposure deaths. Unions expect the number of deaths to go up if mandated water breaks go away. https://t.co/oM0meXiw3a

— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) June 17, 2023