Next Governor to Determine Worker Heat Safety Standard
July 28, 2026
Last Friday, July 24th 2026, the New Mexico Environment Department filed a request to delay the worker heat safety standard rulemaking until March 2027, marking the fourth delay to the rule since it was introduced. The rulemaking, initiated by the Environment Department in March of 2025, aims to protect New Mexicans experiencing a workplace heat index above 80 degrees by requiring access to drinking water, shaded or cooled recovery areas, rest breaks, and acclimatization protocols for new workers. Workers exposed to heat stress or high temperatures face risks of heat stroke, exhaustion, cramps, rashes, and other occupational hazards. Extreme heat exposure can also lead to worker fatality.