The City of Phoenix website will undergo routine system maintenance on Saturday, January 31, 2026. While no major disruptions are expected, some services may be temporarily unavailable between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM. If you experience any issues, please check back shortly. Thank you for your patience.
Phoenix Councilwoman Guardado, Mayor Gallego Lead Phoenix Action to Strengthen Worker Heat Safety Protections
PHOENIX — February 4, 2026 — The Phoenix City Council today approved updates strengthening heat safety protections for workers on City-funded contracts, led by Councilwoman Betty Guardado and Mayor Kate Gallego.
The action reinforces Phoenix’s commitment to protecting workers who perform jobs in extreme heat by clarifying expectations of City contractors and ensuring heat safety measures are documented and enforceable. Beginning April 1, 2026, contractors will be required to regularly monitor vehicles with enclosed cabs to ensure air conditioning is properly functioning according to manufacturer specifications. Contractors must also clearly explain in their heat safety and mitigation plans how vehicle air conditioning will be monitored to meet this requirement.
Phoenix experiences some of the most extreme heat conditions in the country, making heat-related illness a predictable and preventable risk for workers. The updated standards align heat safety with other core City contracting requirements such as insurance, licensing, and workplace safety, ensuring consistent protections across all City projects.
“I want to thank Mayor Gallego for her partnership and leadership on this issue, and I am deeply grateful to the City workers who came forward to support this amendment,” said Councilwoman Guardado.
“Heat safety cannot be optional in Phoenix. These updates reflect what responsible contractors already do and ensure that workers on City-funded projects have basic protections in place. Verifying compliance is about accountability and prevention—not punishment.”
The City will continue to prioritize education and compliance, providing contractors time to prepare ahead of the April 1, 2026, implementation date while ensuring clear, enforceable standards are in place to protect workers from heat-related illness and injury.
Media Contact:
Zul Lopez
Office of Councilwoman Betty Guardado, District 5
480.594.7506
zul.lopez@phoenix.gov
