The city of Phoenix recently approved an ordinance to amend how to respond to heat-related injuries and illnesses. The newest updates come as workers from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport aired their grievances about working under the sun during a city council meeting.
Several people attended the meeting to share their concerns related to working in the heat. They complained about not having air conditioning in vehicles and facing retaliation for bringing up the heat issues.
Worker Trina David says the intense weather is a major problem.
“We don't have access to available shade because we need to park these airplanes and get you guys off where you need to be as soon as possible. So the heat crisis is real. Dry heat is real. It is a convection oven,” she said.
City of Phoenix Aviation Director Chad Makovsky says measures would be taken to ensure air conditioning blows in vehicles.
In a statement to KJZZ News, an airport spokesperson said it appreciated the city council’s action to enhance the ordinance and make it easier for employees to report issues.
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It’s not triple-digit-hot yet, but temperatures are still in the high 80s and low 90s, and that can be dangerous for many older adults. Phoenix recently held a heat safety event for seniors. -
A record-hot winter with little rainfall set Arizona up for a potentially hazardous wildfire season. APS is urging customers, especially those in rural areas, to be prepared. -
Arizona’s largest electric utility will no longer disconnect customers’ power when temperatures exceed 95 degrees, following a settlement with the Attorney General’s Office. -
The victim was an older adult male, but officials have not released any additional details about the case. Temperatures this spring have been much hotter than average. -
According to National Weather Service data, temperatures have averaged about 8.3 degrees above-normal so far this month – the third-hottest start to April on record in Phoenix.
