Kalpana Sutaria, Media Team leader for Citizens’ Climate Lobby Austin Metro Chapter, conveyed her concerns to Congressman Lloyd Doggett about protecting outdoor workers from escalating heat conditions resulting from climate change. She shares his response below:

“Thank you for your recent communication advocating guarantees for those who work outside the right to water breaks and shade. I am pleased you raised this issue.

With over 100 of my Democratic colleagues, I have urged the Department of Labor to quickly implement the Occupational Safety and Health Administration workplace heat standard proposed in 2021. This standard would ensure adequate heat-conscious treatment of workers by requiring water breaks and access to medical treatment. You can see this letter here. I have also sponsored legislation that would ensure construction workers have access to the breaks they need to cope with extreme heat. The bill is H.R. 785 and if passed it would guarantee at least one fifteen minute paid rest break every four hours.

Every worker deserves a water break, and it’s outrageous that extreme Republicans like Governor Abbott are banning protections from extreme heat at the local level. I welcome your continued guidance on this and other important issues. You can follow my work and share your priorities through survey responses by subscribing to my email list. Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @RepLloydDoggett, and email me at Lloyd.doggett@mail.house.gov.”

Kalpana Sutaria

Project Manager, City of Austin and Member, Citizens’ Climate Lobby Austin Metro Chapter

July 29, 2023

To read Kalpana’s original article on this topic, on Voices of Austin, follow the link.