Unprecedented heat is affecting workers, and experts call for company intervention.

Unprecedented heat is affecting workers, and experts call for company intervention.

The Toll of Extreme Heat on Workers and Businesses

Extreme heat is not just uncomfortable, it can also be deadly. Heat-related deaths have become the leading cause of weather-related fatalities in the United States. According to data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), between 2017 and 2022, 121 workers died on the job due to heat-related distress. The effects of extreme heat are not limited to outdoor workers, as millions of people are exposed to dangerous temperatures during their daily commutes or in non-climate-controlled environments.

Last week alone, an estimated 86 million people in the U.S. were exposed to dangerous temperatures, as reported by The Washington Post’s extreme heat tracker. Although some states such as California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, and Minnesota have mandated breaks, water, and shade for outdoor laborers when temperatures reach 80 degrees Fahrenheit, there is a lack of clear federal guidelines. While OSHA’s “general duty” clause requires employers to provide a safe work environment, it does not specifically define how to address heat-related hazards.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, President Biden has instructed the Department of Labor to strengthen the enforcement of heat safety violations and issue a “hazard alert” with guidance for employers to protect their workers. Furthermore, in 2021, the president ordered OSHA to develop heat-specific standards and means of enforcement, but these standards are yet to be implemented.

With the absence of comprehensive regulations, individual employers are responsible for safeguarding their employees from the impacts of extreme heat. Companies like Amazon and UPS are already grappling with the challenge of protecting their workers who operate in hot conditions. However, this issue extends beyond blue-collar workers, affecting the entire labor force and the business landscape. The economic consequences of extreme heat could amount to hundreds of billions of dollars in lost labor productivity over the next few decades.

Jen Fisher, human sustainability leader at Deloitte, emphasizes that the health and safety of employees should be the top priority for any organization. She suggests that there are ample opportunities to accommodate employees during extreme weather, raise awareness about the impact of climate change, and advance human sustainability in the future.

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A High Toll on Workers

Outdoor workers, such as UPS delivery drivers, are particularly vulnerable to the health risks posed by extreme heat. Disturbing videos of drivers passing out from the heat have circulated on social media, prompting concerns about working conditions inside metal trucks and delivering packages in hot weather. These concerns played a central role in union negotiations between UPS and the Teamsters Union, which represents around 340,000 workers. Fortunately, the two sides reached a tentative agreement on a new contract that includes measures to better protect workers in hot environments.

UPS has committed to providing newer delivery vehicles equipped with air conditioning units, fans in the cabs of package cars, and improved airflow systems. The company also invests heavily in safety training, having spent $343 million on research and education initiatives in the past year. Yet, critics argue that even more needs to be done to address the dangers of extreme heat in the workplace.

Heather White, founder of climate action nonprofit OneGreenThing, points out that ensuring protective measures for workers is the cost of doing business and should be considered the norm. She highlights the necessity of providing water, access to shade and air conditioning, appropriate attire, and adequate breaks for outdoor workers in delivery, construction, agriculture, or landscaping jobs. Meanwhile, companies like Amazon have faced criticism from employees who compare warehouse conditions to working in a convection oven while blow-drying their hair.

Although Amazon claims to have implemented cooling measures in its facilities and trains employees on preventing heat-related illnesses, labor union advocates remain skeptical. Eric Frumin, health and safety director for the Strategic Organizing Center, criticizes Amazon for potentially overemphasizing their efforts and believes that more comprehensive solutions, such as air-conditioned buildings, are necessary to protect workers properly.

The consequences of neglecting worker safety can be severe. Frumin suggests that Amazon’s high turnover rate, which reportedly costs the company around $8 billion annually, is partly influenced by the challenges of working in extreme heat.

The Future of Work on a Warming Planet

The effects of extreme heat have far-reaching implications beyond individual workers. They also pose a significant threat to businesses and their productivity. According to the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center, the U.S. could lose up to $100 billion a year in labor productivity due to extreme heat. This figure is projected to rise to $200 billion by 2030 and an astounding half a trillion by 2050.

Studies have shown that workers in non-climate-controlled environments can reduce their working hours by as much as 13% on the hottest days. Output in factories can decrease by 2% per degree Celsius, and auto assembly plants experience an 8% drop in production during weeks with frequent heatwaves. These tangible costs of extreme heat have significant implications for business operations in a changing climate.

Andy Hoffman, a professor of management, organizations, and sustainability at the University of Michigan, emphasizes that the impact of extreme heat on workers cannot be ignored. Companies that rely on water or operate in a heat-sensitive environment, such as agriculture, will face considerable challenges that will affect their bottom line. Moreover, insurance rates are likely to increase as insurers consider the risks associated with extreme heat.

Extreme heat not only endangers the physical health of workers but also affects their mental well-being. To cope with the impact of climate change, companies may need to adopt new strategies and policies. Flexible schedules that minimize exposure to extreme heat, allowing remote work or adjusted working hours, could become commonplace. Climate-friendly dress codes, such as allowing employees to wear shorts or short-sleeve tops, may also be implemented to ensure comfort in hot environments. Moreover, providing mental health resources to address climate-related anxiety will become crucial as the world adapts to the effects of climate change.

Higher temperatures exacerbate other climate emergencies, such as wildfires, which can lead to poor air quality. This poses additional challenges for maintaining clean air in office buildings. Tyler Smith, vice president of healthy buildings at Johnson Controls, highlights the impact of poor air quality on employees’ cognitive function and focus. Urgent action will be needed to update and improve building infrastructures to mitigate these risks.

It is evident that businesses must recognize the severity of the climate change threat and refocus their operations to ensure sustainability. Prioritizing the well-being of people, both employees and the general population, is crucial to securing a future in a warming world. Heather White emphasizes that companies need to shift toward sustainable practices and strategies, remembering that sustainability encompasses not only products but also the welfare of individuals.

Extreme heat poses a significant challenge and will continue to do so in the future. As the climate crisis intensifies, leaders in both the public and private sectors must take decisive action to protect workers and ensure the long-term viability of their businesses. Failure to adapt to these threats will come at a substantial cost, both in terms of human lives and economic stability.