News Summary

A new law in Nevada allows construction to start as early as 5 a.m. to protect workers from extreme heat during summer months. While the law aims to enhance worker safety, it has sparked complaints from residents about noise disturbances. The legislation comes in response to alarming heat-related illness rates and seeks to balance worker protections with community concerns about early morning noise.

Nevada Law Allows Early Morning Construction Work Amid Rising Summer Temperatures

Las Vegas, NV – A new law in Nevada permits construction work to begin as early as 5 a.m., aiming to protect workers from extreme heat during the sweltering summer months. Signed by the governor last month, Assembly Bill 478 applies to construction sites located at least 300 feet away from any occupied residence and is effective from April 1st to September 30th each year.

The legislation, which received unanimous support in both the Nevada Assembly and Senate, addresses growing concerns regarding heat-related illnesses among outdoor workers. In the wake of alarming heat statistics, such as 526 heat-related deaths reported in Clark County in 2024, it seeks to provide a safer working environment in the state’s hottest months.

However, the introduction of this law has sparked controversy among local residents. Many have voiced complaints regarding noise disturbances from construction activities starting as early as 5 a.m. A prominent construction project near Lake Las Vegas has exacerbated these complaints, with residents reporting disruptions due to noise from heavy machinery as early as 6:30 a.m.

Enhanced Worker Protections

Assembly Bill 189, which was approved in 2023 alongside Assembly Bill 478, further bolsters the protection of workers. This law allows for construction noise in developing Homeowners Association (HOA) communities to also commence at 5 a.m. during the designated summer months. The City Council has since approved construction noise restrictions from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. for neighborhoods still under construction, aiming to better balance worker safety and community peace.

Community Impact

Concerns about construction noise and its impact on residents have been persistent. Local resident Jeff McIntosh has raised multiple complaints about nighttime construction activities outside his home, which contributed to media attention and prompted an investigation into the matter. This scrutiny led to the modification of construction hours for some projects to run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Additionally, Tilson Tech received city approval for nighttime work to install high-speed internet, highlighting the demand for connectivity amid rising traffic and lane closures. However, this temporary allowance has been met with criticism over inadequate communication with residents regarding nighttime disturbances.

Heat Records and Worker Safety

The urgency for legislative change stems from Nevada being home to cities that rank among the fastest-warming in the U.S. The Las Vegas Valley has recently set record heat temperatures, intensifying fears about heat-related health issues among construction workers. Subsequently, the Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) began enforcing new heat safety regulations in April 2023, designed to protect workers from extreme temperature hazards.

Experts emphasize that the earlier start time for construction is crucial during the summer months, allowing workers to complete tasks before temperatures reach dangerously high levels later in the day. It is expected that these legislative changes will not only provide better working conditions for construction workers but will also facilitate timely project completion in a state known for its booming construction industry.

Conclusion

While the introduction of early morning construction hours aims to enhance worker safety amidst rising temperatures, it has also generated significant community backlash due to noise disturbances. As construction projects continue throughout the summer, finding a balance between worker safety and residential peace remains an ongoing challenge for local authorities in Nevada.

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Additional Resources

• Las Vegas Review-Journal
• Wikipedia: Construction
• KTNV News
• Google Search: construction noise ordinance Las Vegas
• Bloomberg
• Encyclopedia Britannica: construction site
• 963 KKLV
• Google News: loudest states Nevada

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