labor lawAdivision of labor law center

Recently, tornados in the south have spurred new OSHA warnings about the hazards that utility workers, emergency responders and others face in cold weather in Arizona.

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is warning all businesses, including those in Arizona, that cold, wet or windy weather conditions can be dangerous for employees.

Even if the temperature is a mild 50 degrees, an employee can suffer from cold related injuries and illnesses. The body can get too cold, become unable to warm itself and suffer cold stress, frostbite and hypothermia.

Employees who work outdoors are at a particularly high risk, but any worker can be susceptible to these illnesses during the winter months.

Cold stress is a less severe form of hypothermia, but in severe cases it can be fatal. Cold stress occurs when a person is exposed to cold and has difficulty getting warm. The colder the temperature, the harder the body works to generate heat. The internal organs are the first priority for the body’s heat generator, which means more and more blood is drawn from the extremities. Ears, the nose, hands, feet, arms and legs lose a great deal of warmth and become extremely susceptible to frostbite.

Some workers may be at a higher risk for cold stress due to age and/or medications. Older bodies warm themselves less efficiently. Medications such as antidepressants, sedatives and tranquilizers can affect body warming as well. These employees need to be aware of these factors and act accordingly.

The hazards of cold weather can be reduced by simply following a few safety procedures. First, all employees should wear appropriate clothing for the weather conditions. Dress in layers to adjust to changes in temperature. Avoid getting wet, especially when it’s windy.

Second, drink warm beverages like broth, but avoid caffeinated or alcoholic drinks. Caffeine and alcohol impair the body’s warming capabilities. Meals that are warm and rich in carbohydrates are also recommended.

Third: employees should take frequent breaks from the cold and go indoors, into a heated vehicle, or somewhere out of the wind.

Arizona Cold OSHA Warning

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reminds employers to establish safety protocols for working in cold temperatures. Employees who work in freezers and those who work outdoors are particularly susceptible to cold weather hazards such as hypothermia and Trench Foot.

While working in cold temperatures, employees will need frequent breaks out of the cold in a warm vehicle or heated shelter. Workers should always keep dry clothes in a warm area as well, in case their work clothes get wet.

Dressing for the job is the most important safety measure. Three layers are recommended by OSHA, with cotton as the innermost to provide ventilation. Wool or down should be worn as the middle layer. The outer layer should be nylon or Gortex.

The type of fabric is extremely important. Nylon and Gortex reduce the effects of wind on the body. Wool maintains its ability to insulate even when entirely wet. As a middle layer it provides warmth while absorbing sweat. Cotton doesn’t insulate when it’s wet, so wearing it close to the body allows ventilation.

Proper clothing includes proper footwear and headgear. Boots are a good choice and if working in wet conditions, the boots should be waterproof. Hats should always be worn. An uncovered head can lose as much as 40 degrees of body heat.

Employers should encourage all employees to drink plenty of fluids, as dehydration is possible even in extreme cold. Alcohol and caffeine should be avoided as they interfere with the body’s heating system. Workers should also be encouraged to eat warm food, like pasta, that is high in calories.

Employees need to be aware of how they react to the cold, plus that smoking cigarettes and some prescription medicines can impair how they handle cold weather. Employees should also work in pairs to watch each other for signs of cold stress, including irrational behavior, confusion and disorientation.

All employees, including supervisors and managers, should be trained to recognize these symptoms, and to get the affected worker to a warm area, or to emergency medical help, whichever is needed.

It was not too difficult to find the Arizona (AZ) labor laws over the internet. Many of these labor laws can be found displayed in the workplace. There are many required posters that are used to inform employees of their rights due to the AZ labor laws. These posters must be displayed in conspicuous areas throughout the workplace where employees have easy access to them. This is why many employers place them around areas like the break room or the time clock. 

One labor law I found to be a bit strange deals with frequency of paying employees. Due to an AZ labor law, employers are required to pay employees of the business at least twice per month. The law goes even further, stating that payments cannot be made more than 16 days apart! In most workplaces, where payroll is done internally, the employer must pay everyone working for them within 5 days of the end of any given pay period. This law affects how employers pay around a holiday, as well, as they cannot pay after a holiday if that makes the time between two paydays greater than 16 days! 

For their minimum wage and overtime laws, the state of Arizona turns to the federal government. AZ labor laws do not spell out a minimum wage or overtime law in the state, so employers follow the Fair Labor Standards Act. 

There is also the labor law in Arizona stating that all employees are covered by Unemployment Insurance. If a worker in Arizona becomes unemployed, he or she may be able to receive unemployment benefits, if he or she qualifies. 

Many more Arizona (AZ) Labor Laws are on the books, including child labor laws. If you want a better idea of all the labor laws in this state, check out the AZ labor law posters. You can find federal labor laws and Arizona labor laws on the Arizona Complete Labor Law Poster, as well. 

AZ laws regarding employment cover a variety of issues. For example, provisions are made within these laws that set a standard for employers and employees. 

According to AZ laws the state of Arizona follows a “no-fault” standard when it comes to workers’ compensation issues. No matter who caused the injury on the job, the worker receives both medical help and workers’ compensation for the incident if basic eligibility requirements are met. 

AZ laws pertaining to safety also benefit the workplace. These are standards set by the Arizona DOSH (local OSHA) office. All accidents that result in death of one person or hospitalization of three or more people should be reported within eight hours. In addition, any mechanical machine press accident must be reported within 30 days. 

AZ laws also are established to provide equality for all. If two people of the opposite sex have the same level of abilities to complete a job they should both get paid for that specific job. This applies to jobs where people are given the same amount of duties and responsibilities. 

AZ laws are also set in place to help regulate payment of wages. For example, employers are required to pay their employees twice a month in most cases, no longer than 16 days apart. In addition, they must pay terminated employees within three days or in 10 days if that person works for the school district. 

AZ laws are on the books, which state when wages can be withheld as well in cases where permissible by state law. Furthermore, any withholding of wages can take place upon written consent of the employee. 

Sometimes the case of a reasonable discrepancy about wages between the employee and employer is cause for wage withholding as well. Those who are not receiving wages due to them can make a complaint with the state labor department. 

The laws mentioned above as well as other AZ laws help improve working conditions for employees throughout the entire state of Arizona. Both employers and employees need to be kept informed of all of these laws. 

Labor laws in Arizona are very similar to the laws in other states. These laws govern and regulate the payment of wages, approved working hours for children, breaks and meal breaks, workers’ compensation and vacation time. In addition, The Industrial Commission of Arizona (also called the ICA) is the state department that oversees the regulation of all labor laws in Arizona. These department works to see that employers are providing their workers with a safe and healthful working environment and that all employees are treated fairly under the laws.

An issue that concerns all employees has to do with the payment of wages. Employees work to make money and the labor laws of Arizona can ensure that these workers are paid the amount that is required and in a satisfactory amount of time. For example, labor laws in Arizona clearly state that all employers in the state must compensate (pay) their workers at least two times per month. This time period should not exceed longer than 16 days. In addition, wage payment should be within five working days when the pay period ends.

Employers are encouraged to give their employees a clear pay schedule so that the will know exactly when and where they are to be paid. If the scheduled on or before a holiday, the company is required by law to pay employees on or before the date of the holiday. Employees should not have to wait until after the holiday to receive their compensation.

Also, when doing some research into labor laws in Arizona, I found that the State of Arizona does not have a state minimum wage policy or a law that governs overtime. This means that the Fair Labor Standards Act covers all workers in Arizona, which is a federal guideline. Workers will receives pay based on the federal minimum wage law.

When an employer posts his or her employee’s labor laws, it is essential that the employer understand exactly what he or she needs to post according to the law. First, the Employer must post the most up-to-date labor laws for the state in which he or she works. Second, the employer must post any Federal labor laws according to the laws that the state adheres to (some states use their own state laws in place of Federal laws.)

In the state of Arizona, it is essential for each employer to post a labor law that includes information on the following Arizona (AZ) Posting Requirements for Employers: Discrimination, Employee Safety & Heath Protection, Unemployment Insurance, Work Exposure to Bodily Fluids Workers’ Compensation and Constructive Discharge.

I think one of the biggest mistakes employers make when they post their labor laws is that they either post laws that are out of date or they do not post the labor law poster in a place that is visible to everyone. Reading through the instructions for Arizona (AZ) Posting Requirements for Employers can help to ensure that you post the posters correctly. It is vital that each employer have the most current version of the labor law poster, as updates occur frequently. Most employers choose to post the laws in the employee break room or in another room that is frequently trafficked by employees. If the sign is at all ripped or taken down, the employer is subject to potentially receiving a fine for the poster.

The reason that the states are so strict about the labor law poster and postings is that they understand the importance of giving rights to the individual employees. The labor law posters have contact information for all of the employees’ rights commissions and agencies. If an employee believes that his or her rights have been violated, then that employee can quickly and easily make steps to rectify the situation or make a claim. The posters also offer a degree of accountability to the employer.