Safe Work For All

Set the Standard, Beat the Heat

Workers at risk of heat-related illness and injury in New Mexico:

247,285

Why New Mexico Needs a Heat Protection Rule

With the effort to adopt a national heat safety rule on hold, New Mexico needs to act now to protect our workers.

Since 2024, over 140 New Mexico workers have filed complaints about dangerous heat on the job. These include:

Convenience store workers left without air conditioning for weeks in 98-degree heat
Waste workers denied water and protective gear and threatened if they spoke up
Agricultural workers working long hours under the hot sun
Construction crews using machines with broken A/C, with no repairs in sight
More than 80 high school workers working in heat with no drinking water

These stories are real. They show just how many New Mexican workers are at risk.

A state heat standard would set clear rules to protect workers, including breaks, water, shade, training and safety plans. It's common sense - and it could save lives.

Every worker in New Mexico deserves to be safe on the job.

Costs of Inaction

Workers experience lost wages, increased medical bills, and job insecurity.

Businesses suffer financially from increasing exposure to environmental heat.

Heat illnesses strain the healthcare systems and workforce.

Businesses experience difficulty retaining and recruiting talent.

Speak Up for Worker Safety!

In March 2025, the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) asked the Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) to adopt a statewide heat safety rule to protect workers. Now NMED and the EIB need to hear from YOU!

From April 1st to May 30th, NMED is taking public comments from people across the state. This is your chance to speak up for strong protections for workers. Use the form below to send your comment and tell NMED and the EIB you support the strongest rule possible. Not sure what to say? Sign our petition, and we’ll make sure NMED and the EIB hear from you.

Are you a worker who has been impacted by the heat? Are you worried about someone you care about who is facing heat danger at work? Share your story below so NMED and the EIB know how important it is to adopt a heat safety rule. There will be public and stakeholder meetings in May 2025, and a formal public hearing is set for July 16–17, 2025. We’ll share more details as soon as they’re available.

Let your voice be heard. Help protect New Mexico workers from dangerous heat!