Commissioners Rodney Ellis, Lesley Briones Champion Passage of Harris County’s First Comprehensive Worksite Safety Policy

Harris County Commissioners Court approved a historic Worksite Safety Policy, the first unified system in the county to strengthen oversight, accountability, and protections for workers on County-funded construction projects.

Texas leads the nation in workplace fatalities with 564 deaths in 2023. And Harris County ranks first in the state for severe construction, heat-related, and overall workplace injuries. Yet there is only one OSHA inspector for every 70,000 workers, and many injuries go unreported. 

“No project, dollar, or deadline is worth a human life,” said Commissioner Rodney Ellis. “Harris County is not only enhancing safety for workers on county contracts but also setting a new standard for other jurisdictions in our region and across the United States. It is an honor to work with my colleague Commissioner (Lesley) Briones, our friends in labor, responsible contractors, and county staff to pass this historic policy. In unity, we will continue to build a safer, fairer, more dignified future for the people of Harris County.”

Commissioner Lesley Briones said: “For too long, Texas has led for the wrong reasons. No one should die earning a living to feed their family. I’m proud that Harris County is taking action to deliver safety, protection, and opportunity for workers and their families. By strengthening and standardizing workplace safety, we will enhance transparency and accountability. I thank Commissioner Ellis, labor advocates, and responsible contractors for their leadership and collaboration. Together, we are creating a Harris County where everyone can be safe and thrive.”

The new Worksite Safety Policy builds on the 2023 Contractor Safety Record Policy and represents a major step forward protecting the people who build and maintain Harris County’s infrastructure. Commissioner Briones and Commissioner Ellis collaborated with unions, advocates, responsible contractors, and workers to ensure worksites are safe, efficient, and accountable.

Raising the Bar on Worker Protection

Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, contractors working on County-funded construction, rehabilitation, or maintenance projects valued at $1 million or more — and subcontracts of $100,000 or more — must meet strengthened safety and accountability requirements.

Key provisions include:

• Mandatory site-specific safety plans and heat illness prevention and response plans for all worksites. 

• Ten-minute paid rest breaks for every four hours worked. 

• Scheduled and unannounced inspections by trained County Monitors authorized to issue stop work orders for unsafe conditions. 

• Free personal protective equipment for all workers. 

• A worker safety hotline with strong anti-retaliation protections for employees. 

• A Worksite Safety Committee, including representatives from labor, contractors, and County departments, to review trends and recommend improvements.

“Thank you to Commissioners Court for raising the bar for construction safety. Worker safety is a right, and this policy strengthens training, reporting, and accountability on every jobsite. It ensures workers can speak up and stop unsafe work, and it rewards contractors who put safety first,” said Linda Morales, Organizing Coordinator with the Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation. 

Vladimir Naranjo said: “As a Houston business owner, general contractor, and member of the Regional Hispanic Contractors Association, I know safe work sites mean fewer accidents, fewer delays, and stronger businesses. I am proud to stand with the County and labor leaders to support these standards. I encourage contractors to invest in worker safety because it protects people, improves productivity, and strengthens the bottom line.”  

Juan Rubio with Workers Defense Project added. “I represent the workers who build the roads, schools, and clinics that keep Harris County running. This safety policy is an important step forward because it ensures that every worker on a County project has water, rest, training, and a safe job site. We are grateful to Commissioners Lesley Briones and Rodney Ellis and all our partners who helped craft this policy.”  

Accountability, Transparency, and Collaboration

To further strengthen transparency and accountability, the Commissioners Court also updated the 2023 Contractor Safety Record Policy. The revised system requires contractors to disclose both closed and active OSHA cases, allows County Monitors to request OSHA 300 logs to review injuries more thoroughly, and establishes consistent enforcement timelines to ensure clarity and fairness across all projects. 

Harris County will maintain a centralized safety database that tracks inspections, violations, and corrective actions. The Worksite Safety Committee will provide quarterly reports to Commissioners Court to ensure ongoing transparency and continuous improvement.