Arkansas ranks last in protecting workers from outdoor hazards

SAN DIEGO — U.S.-based lawn care company Lawn Love has issued a report ranking the 2024 Safest States for Outdoor Workers, which concluded that Washington state protects its outdoor workers the best while Arkansas is the least progressive.

The initiative was launched in conjunction with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) recently proposed rule for federal heat protection.

Lawn Love compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on five categories. The survey looked at legislation protecting workers from extreme weather conditions, whistleblower retaliation rights and employment benefits and also considered the number of work-related injuries and fatalities, among 26 total metrics.

Twenty-one states have prepared their own OSHA-approved state safety plans, protecting both private and government employees. Eight states require 10-hour or 30-hour OSHA training, which informs and trains workers and supervisors on dealing with typical safety and health hazards.

Statistics show about 2,000 deaths and 170,000 injuries result each year from laboring in extreme heat in the U.S.

Only four states — Washington (No. 1), Oregon (No. 2), California (No. 4) and Colorado (No. 12) — have laws protecting outdoor workers from extreme heat. 

Some states are going so far as to pass legislation preventing local counties and cities from improving work safety standards. 

In July, HB 433 went into effect in Florida (No. 50), specifically banning local heat protections — rest breaks, hydration, safety training and acclimatization — for workers. Local advocates say Florida farmworkers commonly wear diapers and avoid drinking water at work out of fear of being harassed or fired for taking a break. Florida ranks 41st in union membership with 4.7 per cent of workers in labor unions.

Texas (No. 39) has the most hot days, averaging 104 days above 90 degrees annually. The Texas Regulatory Consistency Act passed in 2023, preventing cities from enacting a broad range of local regulations, including mandated rest and water breaks and safety training. 

Texas ranks 43rd in union membership with 4.5 per cent of laborers with union representation. The Lone Star State also has the lowest share of workers with health insurance and claims the 12th highest number of severe work-related injuries per 100,000 residents. 

Hot and humid southeastern states — Mississippi (No. 48), Alabama (No. 49) and Florida — land at the bottom of the Lawn Love ranking, alongside Arkansas, in last place. On top of a challenging climate, these states have low rates of both union membership and workers with health insurance, and high rates of severe work-related injuries per 100,000 residents.

Michigan (No. 6) scores near the top with the highest workers compensation payout, about 77 per cent of the worker’s weekly wage. 

Hawaii (No. 10) claims the highest union membership rate, 24.1 per cent, followed by New York (No. 5) and Washington.

Ohio (No. 38) businesses have the most willful or repeated fines, 533, worth $40,000 or more each — totaling over $50.6 million.