On June 22, 2026, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed Executive Order No. 17, “Protecting Workers from Extreme Heat,” directing multiple City agencies to develop guidance, conduct studies, and evaluate additional measures aimed at reducing heat-related illnesses, injuries, and fatalities among workers exposed to extreme temperatures. The Order cites increasing heat risks associated with climate change and notes that more than 1.4 million workers in New York City are estimated to perform outdoor work for prolonged periods.
Mayor Mamdani’s Executive Order is aligned with OSHA’s continued focus on prevention of heat induced illness by prioritizing implementing guidance and supporting the nationwide initiative of States’ formal measures aimed at protecting workers from the hazards of extreme heat. States with proposed or existing rules regarding heat illness prevention include California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Minnesota, Maryland, Illinois, and Virginia.
The Order directs the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to develop worker heat illness prevention guidance and educational materials for both indoor and outdoor workers, including independent contractors, gig workers, and day laborers.
The Order further provides that the New York City Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice or the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services will determine which City agencies will be responsible for disseminating the guidance. Potential agencies include New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM), the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), the Department of Social Services (DSS), the Department of Buildings (DOB), the Department of Small Business Services (SBS), and the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice (MOCEJ).
In addition, City agencies must establish heat illness prevention plans for municipal workers, and New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) will incorporate worker-focused heat illness prevention messaging when the City’s Heat Emergency Plan is activated. The City’s Heat Emergency Plan is activated when prolonged periods of extreme heat are expected to pose a significant risk to public health. The City defines extreme heat as high temperatures and humidity levels that are substantially above normal (10 degrees or more) and persist for several consecutive days. As demonstrated when the plan was first activated on July 1, 2026, the City’s Heat Emergency Plan initiates a coordinated response among multiple City agencies aimed at reducing heat-related illnesses and fatalities. The City’s response may include the activation of cooling centers, enhanced public health outreach, increased employer communications regarding heat safety, deployment of mobile cooling and wellness resources, and expanded cooling services for vulnerable populations and outdoor workers.
The Order also directs the Department of Buildings (DOB) to notify and remind property owners, contractors, subcontractors, or persons otherwise in control of construction sites during times of high heat of their obligation to report heat-related incidents occurring on construction sites in which any worker at the site requires transport by emergency medical services or requires immediate emergency care at a hospital or offsite medical clinic consistent with Administrative Code section 28-103.21.1. DOB will also review whether existing construction safety and training requirements adequately address heat-related hazards and may recommend additional construction safety guidance, training measures, or other actions. Any recommendations must be submitted to City officials by March 1, 2027.
Additionally, the Order directs DOHMH to determine whether heat-related illnesses should be added to the list of reportable public health conditions under Section 11.03 of the New York City Health Code, which establishes mandatory reporting requirements for diseases and conditions considered of public health interest. As part of that review, DOHMH will consider whether reporting information regarding a worker’s place of employment and employer would assist the City in addressing occupational heat-related illnesses. If so, that could certainly be a significant development for employers as it may put a brighter spotlight on employers’ heat illness prevention programs.
Lastly, and in the spirit of the Order, Mayor Mamdani wants City agencies to enhance public awareness of and access to restrooms, cooling centers, drinking fountains, and other resources that may help workers limit heat exposure.
New York City’s Executive Order No. 17 is a recent development reflecting a broader trend of state and local governments expanding their focus on workplace heat illness prevention. Although the Order does not impose new obligations on private employers, it signals continued regulatory attention on heat-related hazards and could lay the groundwork for future guidance, enforcement initiatives, or regulatory developments. Employers with covered workers in New York City should continue monitoring these developments and evaluate whether their existing heat illness prevention programs, training, and response procedures are sufficient to address increasing regulatory oversight in this area.
