Rep. Gallego responds to White House’s actions to protect workers and communities from extreme heat
PHOENIX (KYMA, KECY) - Representative Ruben Gallego (D-Arizona) responded to President Biden's newly announced measures to protect workers and communities from extreme heat.
“Far too many people are dying or falling ill from these extreme temperatures. For months, Mayor Gallego and I have asked for federal officials to step in and provide assistance. I am thankful the administration is listening to our call with today’s actions. This is a meaningful step in protecting Arizonans from extreme heat. But more must be done. We need a swift, immediate deployment of resources, and that requires FEMA declaring extreme heat an emergency. I will continue pushing the administration and Congress to get that done.”
Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-03)
Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are the most common heat-related illnesses workers are facing.
In Rep. Gallego's press release, it mentions Arizona temperatures have gotten so high that emergency rooms are seeing people with significant burns from falling on scorching asphalt.
Rep. Gallego sent a letter to Acting U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Julie Su and Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Douglas L. Parker to establish a federal standard to make sure workers and employers can recognize and respond to the signs of heat stress.
