NYC Takes Steps Toward Stronger Workplace Heat Protections
A recent executive order from Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed in June 2026 directs city agencies to analyze workers’ compensation claims to better understand how often heat-related illnesses occur on the job. The order also requires mayoral agencies to develop heat illness prevention plans for employees and contractors, while reviewing whether additional construction site heat safety requirements are needed.
The executive order further directs city agencies to develop and distribute multilingual heat safety guidance for outdoor workers. The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene must also evaluate whether heat illness should be designated as a reportable health condition.
The initiative addresses how heat-related illnesses are often underreported, making it difficult for regulators to measure the true scope of the issue or develop effective workplace protections. An estimated 500 deaths annually in New York City are attributed to heat, with more than 1.4 million people, or one-third of the city’s workforce, spending extended periods of time working outdoors in the heat during the summer. If the city ultimately requires employers to report heat-related illnesses, the data could help shape future state and federal regulations.
California, Oregon, Nevada, Maryland, Minnesota, Washington, Colorado have adopted their own workplace heat standards. New Mexico is working to finalize its own heat standard covering indoor and outdoor workplaces. Last month, Boston passed an ordinance to protect city workers and contractors from extreme heat. Iowa, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New York all have sought to enact legislation without success so far.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) continues to work toward a nationwide final rule expected in 2027, which will look to balance industry demands to revamp a Biden-era proposal that set an initial trigger at a heat index of 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and a high heat trigger of 90 degrees for when employers must implement measures to protect their workers.
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Alexa N. Salazar is an Associate in Faruqi & Faruqi’s New York City office. Alexa’s practice is focused on Employment Law.
