El Paso has opened its cooling centers for summer 2025. But what about outdoor and indoor workers facing extreme heat every day? In this blog, we’ll cover where to find cooling centers, what laws protect workers, and what to do if you get sick on the job from heat.
Where to Find Cooling Centers in El Paso
The City of El Paso offers cooling centers in the following locations:
- Galatzan Recreation Center – 650 Wallenberg Dr
- Marty Robbins Recreation Center – 11620 Vista Del Sol Dr
- Valle Bajo Community Center – 7380 Alameda
- Nations Tobin Sports Center – 8831 Railroad
- Chalio Acosta Sports Center – 4321 Delta
These are open daily around the city. You can also call 2-1-1 to find the closest center or ask about a free fan.
New Laws Shift Heat Safety Burden to Workers
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to protect workers from heat-related illness. This includes offering water, shade, breaks, and access to cool spaces while working. These protections aim to prevent heat exhaustion, stroke, and other serious conditions.
In 2023, Texas passed House Bill 2127, also called the “Death Star Act.” This law removed local rules that required rest breaks or water access for public employees. A lower court later ruled it unconstitutional, but the law is still being appealed.
If HB 2127 is upheld, public workers may be forced to bring their own water and find their own shade. The law would remove protections that reduce the risk of heat illness. Until the appeal is resolved, private employers must still follow OSHA’s heat safety rules or face penalties.
The Department of Labor Is Updating Heat Safety Rules
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is working on new heat safety rules for jobs across the country. These rules started development in 2024 and may not be finalized until 2026. While the rules are still in progress, heat safety protests have taken place across Texas and other states.
To help protect workers now, OSHA extended its National Emphasis Program on Outdoor and Indoor Heat-Related Hazards through April 8, 2026. The program gives employers tools to prevent heat illness when the heat index goes above 80°F. It covers outdoor workers and those indoors near heat sources, like foundries or factories.
Even indoor jobs can lead to heat stress without breaks, water, or cool air. These protections are important until national rules are in place. Workers still face danger every day, especially in hot states like Texas.
“Even indoor jobs can lead to heat stress without breaks, water, or cool air.”
How to Stay Safe on the Job in the Heat
Both OSHA and the Texas Department of Insurance recommend the following:
- Start slow and build up to full effort in the heat
- Drink water every 20 minutes
- Wear breathable clothes and take shaded breaks
- Watch for signs of heat illness like dizziness, cramps, or confusion
What to Do If You Get Sick From Heat at Work
Even if you follow safety tips, you can still suffer heat stroke, exhaustion, cramps or even death if not treated. If you can’t work while recovering, you may qualify for wage or medical benefits. If your employer ignored safety rules, you might also have grounds for a legal claim.
Why Cooling Centers Matter
The Office of the Texas State Climatologist says triple-digit days are increasing across the state. By 2036, Texas could see over four times more 100°F+ days than in the 1980s. These longer, hotter summers raise serious risks for people who work outside or in hot indoor spaces.
El Paso’s cooling centers help protect people without air conditioning—and some workers, too. Employers can include these locations in safety plans under Texas’s Heat Stress Safety Training Program. This gives workers a place to cool down and avoid heat illness during the hottest parts of the day.
Extreme heat isn’t just uncomfortable — it’s a serious danger on the job.
Texas heat laws are changing fast—and not always in favor of workers. If you get injured from heat exposure on the job, you may have a case. An experienced lawyer can help you fight for medical care, lost wages, and other support.
You shouldn’t have to suffer alone or cover the costs by yourself. Contact the workplace injury lawyers at Farah Law in El Paso, TX, for a free consultation. We’re here to protect your rights and guide you through every step.
