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Graham County adopts heat-illness prevention policy for highway and parks staff
Summary
The Graham County Board of Supervisors adopted Administrative Policy 27-2026, a heat-illness prevention plan aligning with Industrial Commission of Arizona guidance that requires employers to provide water, shade, rest breaks and training; the policy affects highway and parks employees and was reviewed by county counsel.
The Graham County Board of Supervisors on June 16 adopted Administrative Policy 27-2026, a county heat-illness prevention plan aimed primarily at highway and parks personnel. Cindy Norris Blake presented the policy and said it implements recommendations the Industrial Commission of Arizona approved in April 2026.
"It requires employers to develop and maintain a heat safety plan for employees," Blake said, describing key elements as responsibilities and procedures for providing water and shade, employees' rights to rest and hydration, and required training. She told supervisors the policy has been reviewed by the county attorney's office, the highway department, the county manager and the parks department.
Board members had no substantive questions before moving to adopt the policy. The chair called for a motion and the board voted to approve the policy.
The policy will require county departments that send staff into hot outdoor environments to document plans for hydration, shade and rest and to provide effective training for employees. County officials said the change is primarily an implementation of state-level guidance; Blake said the majority of affected employees have already completed annual heat-illness training and that the county will coordinate training for any new hires.
No vote roll call or individual tally was recorded in the meeting transcript; the board recorded the motion and noted it carried.
