Nevada’s New Law Allows Early Start Times for Construction

News Summary

Nevada has enacted a new law permitting construction crews to begin work as early as 5 a.m. This law aims to protect workers from extreme summer heat, changing previous regulations that limited start times to 7 a.m. The new rules are effective from April 1st to September 30th and require construction sites to be at least 300 feet away from residential areas. The legislation has received widespread support and responds to increased heat-related health concerns among construction workers.

Nevada Law Allows Early Construction Start Times to Combat Summer Heat

In a significant move to protect workers in the construction industry, Nevada has enacted a new law permitting construction crews to start work as early as 5 a.m. during the hottest months of the year. This law, signed by Governor Joe Lombardo last month, addresses growing concerns regarding heat-related health issues faced by construction workers.

Details of the New Legislation

The earlier start time is applicable to commercial and infrastructure projects from April 1 to September 30. This adjustment comes as a response to the dangers associated with high summer temperatures, which can lead to serious health risks such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Previously, strict local noise ordinances prohibited construction in residential areas from starting before 7 a.m. However, under the new law, construction work can commence earlier if the site is located at least 300 feet away from any occupied residence. This provision aims to balance the need for early labor hours while minimizing disturbances to nearby residents.

The Rising Concern of Heat-Related Incidents

The necessity for this law stems from a troubling increase in workplace injuries and heat-related complaints since 2021. In 2024, the Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recorded a staggering 485 heat-related complaints, marking the highest number the agency has ever received. Alarmingly, 5% of these complaints originated from the construction sector. Furthermore, in Clark County alone, 526 individuals lost their lives to heat-related causes in that same year, highlighting the urgent need for protective measures.

Construction work is inherently strenuous, involving the handling of heavy materials like asphalt under intense heat. These factors contribute to a heightened risk of heat stress among workers, making it imperative for safety measures to be put in place.

Support for Early Hours in Construction

The bill, designated as AB478, received broad backing from various construction industry groups and passed unanimously in both the Assembly and Senate. This overwhelming support signals a collective recognition of the dangers posed by extreme heat to the workforce.

In particular, Democratic Assemblymember Sandra Jauregui has stressed the importance of safeguarding commercial construction workers against heat-related injuries. Workers themselves have voiced the urgency for such reforms, sharing experiences of health-related incidents tied to working in high temperatures.

Implications of the New Law

While the law is designed to mitigate risks associated with extreme heat, it also raises the likelihood of noise complaints from residents as construction noise will begin earlier in the day. This potential issue echoes a similar dynamic seen in other areas, such as Clark County, where construction activities have already been permitted to start as early as 2 a.m. in non-residential zones.

The law aligns with recommendations from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, which suggests that scheduling high-risk tasks during cooler parts of the day can be an effective strategy for heat mitigation. By allowing earlier work hours, the law aims to ensure that construction tasks are completed during less extreme temperature periods, thereby enhancing worker safety.

A Wider Trend

Nevada’s adoption of this legislation is part of a broader trend, with other states such as Arizona also passing similar laws to permit early construction hours during summer months. This reflects an increasing acknowledgment of the need to protect outdoor laborers from the hazards posed by soaring temperatures.

As Nevada moves forward with this law, it remains to be seen how it will impact both the construction industry and residential areas in terms of work schedules and noise levels. Nonetheless, the initiative represents a proactive approach to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of construction workers during the intense summer heat.

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Additional Resources

• Nevada Current: New State Law Lets Construction Crews Beat the Heat
• Fox 5 Vegas: New Nevada Law Allows Construction to Begin Early at 5 AM
• KTNV: How Nevada OSHA Plans to Enforce New Heat Regulation
• Governing: Nevada Introduces Bill to Combat Extreme Heat
• The Nevada Independent: Why Planting More Trees May Not Be the Silver Bullet to Combat Extreme Heat in Las Vegas