RENO, Nev. — In a state where blazing summer days can routinely break 110 degrees, Nevada’s construction crews will soon have more time to beat the heat, thanks to a new law that officially lets them start work as early as 5 A.M.

Assembly Bill 478, which passed with unanimous bipartisan support and was signed by Gov. Joe Lombardo, makes Nevada one of the first states to write early summer construction start times directly into state law. The goal is clear: keep workers out of the worst midday heat, which has become more dangerous each year.

The new schedule will apply between April and September, allowing contractors to shift work hours earlier if the site is at least 300 feet away from a residential home. The law overrides any stricter local ordinances or HOA rules that once limited when hammers could start swinging.

The Associated General Contractors of Nevada championed the change, pointing to a surge in heat-related OSHA complaints and reports of workers fainting or suffering heat exhaustion on job sites.

“This is real life for our members,” said Alexis Motarex, government affairs director for the AGC of Nevada. “They’re wearing heavy boots, long sleeves, hard hats, safety harnesses — and they’re doing physical labor on roofs or roads that hold heat like an oven. That extra two hours in the morning can make the difference between a safe shift and a hospital visit.”

Extreme Heat a Growing Threat

Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that construction workers account for more than a third of all job-related heat deaths, even though they make up only about 6% of the national workforce. Nevada OSHA’s records show a steady increase in heat stress incidents — especially in Las Vegas and Reno — over the last five years.

In Washoe County, stricter community rules in neighborhoods like Wingfield Springs and Kiley Ranch meant crews often had to wait until 7 A.M. or later to start, even on blazing hot days. With longer heat waves and rising temperatures, those lost hours have put more workers at risk.

The Nevada State Climate Office projects the state could see an additional 30+ extreme heat days each summer by 2040. For an industry that still relies on outdoor labor, that’s a serious challenge.

How the Law Works

The new early start option is voluntary — it doesn’t force contractors to start earlier but allows them to adjust schedules when needed. If a job site is closer than 300 feet to a home, regular noise ordinances still apply, protecting neighborhood peace during predawn hours.

The new law also lines up with Nevada OSHA’s updated heat standards, which now require employers to provide cold water, scheduled breaks, shaded rest areas or cooling stations, and emergency response plans.

Balancing Noise With Safety

Motarex acknowledged that not everyone is thrilled about potential 5 A.M. jackhammer noise. Some residents say the early wake-up could disturb sleep, but industry leaders hope communities will accept the trade-off.

“It’s a minor inconvenience for homeowners, but the payoff is huge,” she said. “We’re talking about preventing heat stroke and saving lives.”

Part of a Bigger Trend

Nevada joins other hot-weather states like Arizona, Texas and California, where employers often start shifts before sunrise to dodge deadly temperatures. But unlike Nevada, those schedules are not usually set in state law — they rely on local rules or employer discretion.

Nationwide, industry groups like the Associated General Contractors of America and the National Safety Council are pushing for more uniform heat safety rules, including early start allowances, mandatory hydration breaks, and emergency response training.

More Demand, More Pressure

Nevada’s construction industry is booming, fueled by new housing developments, massive industrial projects like data centers, and billions in federal infrastructure funds. But all that growth also means tens of thousands of workers will be out in the sun when temperatures peak.

Construction managers say they expect to see widespread use of the new start times next season — especially in Las Vegas, where triple-digit days stretch from May through September.

“We want people to get home safe at the end of the day,” Motarex said. “And if that means starting at 5 A.M. so they’re not roofing at 2 P.M., that’s what we have to do.”

Originally reported by Ben Margiott in My News 4.