As the Arizona sun starts to rise earlier by the day, so too will the state's hard-hat workforce. A new law, effective this summer, allows construction workers to begin their daybreak labor at 5 a.m. on weekdays and, with even a bit more weekend reprieve, 7 a.m. on Saturdays. The shift aims to reduce health risks from peak afternoon temperatures.

According to ABC15 Arizona , the recently signed Senate Bill 1182 by Governor Katie Hobbs supersedes any stricter local ordinances, clearing confusion for contractors and unifying work schedules across the state from May 1 to October 15. Yet, it is with nods to both safety and efficiency that the law comes to pass. As Adam Bishop, a project manager with Hunter Contracting, articulated, “It’s critical to get started as early as possible so that we can get finished as early as possible before the peak temperatures,” a sentiment reflecting the industry's proactive stance on worker protection.

Concrete pourers are granted even earlier starts, with permissions for a 4 a.m. beginning. The rationale for such an exception is straightforward: the material's properties and the unforgiving nature of the desert climate dictate the timing. "I was very relieved... I understand it can be challenging to have construction outside your house at 4 or 5 a.m., but concrete has to be poured as early as possible," Bishop told ABC15 Arizona .

The measures address a stark reality—between 1992 and 2016, the CDC reported 285 construction workers nationwide succumbed to heat-related causes. In spite of this, steps are being taken to fortify against the risk: drinking more water, taking reprieves in cooled vehicles, and seeking shade where possible. ConstructConnect clarifies the intent of the law: to help crews "avoid the most dangerous heat of the day and potentially improve project timelines." With a unifying statewide schedule, Arizona's construction industry leans into harmonization, benefitting both its workforce and project outcomes.

Local governments maintain authority over Sunday scheduling, although they cannot enforce stricter noise or work restrictions during the permissible construction hours between May through October. The impetus behind such policies is the welfare of the workers, whose labor under the Arizona sun is as relentless as it is indispensable to the state's growth. Comprehensive and strategic, this new law aims to be a blueprint for navigating extreme weather conditions while advancing the construction economy.