Barb Barrett
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Managing Editor, @Stateline_News
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Barb Barrett’s Biography
Read Full Bio →Barbara Barrett is managing editor of Stateline, an independent news organization within the Pew Charitable Trusts covering trends and challenges affecting state policy across the country
Previously she was the a national editor for McClatchy, supervising correspondents who cover Washington for the chain's 29 newspapers.
She came to Washington in 2006 and previously served as the regional correspondent for the Charlotte Observer and The News & Observer of Raleigh, N.C. She has been a reporter …
Articles
Many states decline to require water breaks for outdoor workers in extreme heat
Even as summer temperatures soar and states wrangle with protecting outdoor workers from extreme heat, Texas recently enacted a law that axes city rules mandating water and shade breaks for construction workers. In state after state, lawmakers and regulators have in recent years declined to require companies to offer their outdoor laborers rest breaks with shade and water. In some cases, legislation failed to gain traction.
Despite Heat Deaths, Many States Don’t Require Water Breaks
Above Photo: Heat causes more deaths in the United States each year than any other extreme weather. Outdoor workers, like these California roofers, are particularly vulnerable. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images. As temperatures break records, lawmakers in state after state have declined to require that companies give their outdoor workers shade and water breaks.
Despite Heat Deaths, Many States Don’t Require Water Breaks
Climate change has brought more days of extreme heat each year on average, and scientists say that number will grow. Yet only three states — California, Oregon and Washington — require heat breaks for outdoor workers. Minnesota has a rule that sets standards for indoor workers, and Colorado’s heat regulations cover only farmworkers. The new law in Texas, signed by Republican Gov.
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