Title
An Ordinance Amending Contract Workers Heat Safety Ordinance G-7241 to Include Proposed Revisions to Phoenix City Code Chapter 18, Article XI, Section 18-413(A) and 18-415 (Ordinance G-7483) - Citywide
Description
This item requests a second amendment to Ordinance G-7241 to include proposed revisions to Phoenix City Code (PCC) Chapter 18, Article XI, Section 18-413(A) and 18-415.
Report
Summary
On March 26, 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance G-7241, amending language to PCC Chapter 18, creating Article XI that requires City contractors whose employees and contract workers perform work in an outdoor environment to develop and comply with heat safety plans as outlined in the ordinance to mitigate and prevent heat-related illnesses and injuries. Additionally, each contractor is required to maintain a written heat safety plan on file and ensure that the plan is posted in a location accessible to employees.
On July 2, 2025, the City Council amended Ordinance G-7241 to clarify posting requirements for heat safety plans. The amendment specifies that heat safety plans must be posted in both English and Spanish on a bulletin board located in the break room. If a contractor does not have a break room, the plan must be placed in a conspicuous location where employee notices are customarily displayed. Additionally, all heat safety plans must include a contact number that employees and contract workers can use to report or inquire about heat safety issues.
Proposed Second Amendment to Ordinance G 7241, PCC Chapter 18, Article XI, Section 18-413(A) and 18-415
Staff recommend this second amendment to strengthen compliance and worker protections as recommended by the Contract Workers Heat Safety Ordinance Advisory Committee. The proposed changes include adding language to heat safety plans stating that contractors will not retaliate against employees or contract workers who report alleged heat safety violations or who exercise protections provided under Article XI. In addition, beginning April 1, 2026, contractors will also be required to monitor and maintain a monthly log verifying that all vehicles have properly functioning air conditioning according to manufacturer specifications. This log must be made available to the City upon request.
Lastly, contractors and subcontractors will be required to confirm their ability to comply with Article XI in all bids, proposals, written quotes, contractual agreements, leases, licenses or requests for qualifications with the City. Furthermore, when issuing any bid, proposal, quote, or request related to a future City contract, departments must ask all proposers whether they have ever been sanctioned under Phoenix City Code Section 18-414 for failure to comply with the provisions of Article XI.
A draft of the proposed amended ordinance is attached as Attachment A.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
On March 26, 2024, the City Council approved Ordinance G 7241, revising Article I, Section 18-2(A)(6) of the Phoenix City Code and adding Article XI to Chapter 18 of the Phoenix City Code.
On July 2, 2025, the City Council approved a first amendment to Ordinance G 7241, further revising Chapter 18, Article XI of Phoenix City Code.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager David Mathews and the City Manager's Office.