Protect workers from dangerously hot temperatures

A man takes his construction hat off to cool down on a hot day

Climate change is making heat waves stronger, longer-lasting, and more frequent. These heat waves pose a huge danger to anyone who works outside or in buildings without air conditioning. Exposure to extreme heat can cause heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and even death if no precautions are taken and people don’t receive the necessary care if they fall ill.

Only a few states have regulations in place to protect people from high-heat working conditions, but a new proposal by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration could ensure many more workers are protected across the country from extreme heat.

Tell the federal government that as climate change makes heat waves more common, to mandate employers protect the health and safety of workers in hot conditions.

Your Information

First Name

Last Name

Address 1

Address 2

City

State Province

ZIP Code

Email Address

Personalize Your Message

Mr.

NWF

Action Fund

NWF

Dear Assistant Secretary Parker,

I am writing to urge you to finalize the proposed rule “Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings” in Docket No. OSHA-2021-0009.

Climate change is making extremely hot temperatures more frequent and intense. This year, July became the hottest month on record while heat waves have steadily become more frequent and intense over the past 60 years. This increases the health risks to anyone who works outside or in buildings without cooling systems.

Heat is the deadliest type of hazardous weather in the United States, with an average of over 40 worker fatalities from heat exposure each year over the past decade. Working in high temperatures can cause illness and injuries from heat exhaustion to heat stroke as well as exacerbating pre-existing conditions. It's estimated that by 2050 as the planet continues to warm, deaths from heat-related stroke and heart attacks could triple.

The workers most often exposed to extreme heat in their jobs are disproportionately low-income, people of color, and immigrants who have access to limited resources to protect themselves against the dangers of hot working conditions. Especially as climate change worsens heat waves and makes higher temperatures more common, the federal government must mandate employers to take steps to protect their workers from exposure to dangerous heat.

Only a few states currently have heat protections in place for workers. I urge the Occupational Health and Safety Administration to finalize your rule and put federal regulations in place that require employers across the country to assess the risks of extreme heat exposure in their workplaces and put appropriate safety measures in place.

Sincerely, 
{user_data~First Name} {user_data~Last Name}

After submitting this form, you'll start receiving wildlife updates from the National Wildlife Federation Action Fund.

PG NWF Action Fund

Yes

After submitting this form, you'll start receiving wildlife updates from the National Wildlife Federation Action Fund.

Action Alerts

N

Yes, I accept becoming a member of the National Wildlife Federation Action Fund.

Climate Change