A business case for protecting workers from extreme heat

Two months ago, on July 22, 2024, we broke the record for the hottest day ever recorded. As temperatures continue to rise, so does the number of heat-related illnesses and deaths, particularly for people at work. In August, a sanitation worker in Baltimore suffered heat stroke and died while collecting trash, and in June, a postal worker died after spending her shift in a mail truck without air-conditioning.

July also marked an important step in addressing the significant threat our changing climate poses to human health: the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposed a new rule to protect workers from extreme heat. The regulation would apply to employers across a wide range of industries and be triggered when employees are exposed to temperatures of 80 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 15 minutes in any given 60-minute period. In these instances, measures like easy access to cool drinking water, paid rest breaks if needed, and shade or air-conditioned areas at outdoor work sites would be required. Employers would also need to develop a heat prevention plan, designate a heat safety coordinator to implement and monitor the plan, and evaluate the organization’s safety plan annually.

Businesses may read this as increased costs but, in truth, it provides critical savings. Things that affect human health also have a direct impact on business performance, given that 84% of the value of S&P 500 companies is in human capital. Research shows worker productivity drops by as much as 2.5% per degree when temperatures rise above 80°F. This heat-induced decline in labor productivity is costing U.S. businesses $100 billion annually and is expected to double by 2030.

There is compelling evidence that simple heat protection measures save lives and boost productivity. La Isla Network implemented a worker safety program at a sugar plantation in Nicaragua, where heat-related injuries and deaths were common. The program led to a 72% reduction in injuries, a 94% decrease in hospitalizations—and a 20% increase in productivity. These preventative measures were also more than four times more affordable than treatment, proving that the investment not only saved lives but also more than paid for itself.

Heat-related deaths and illnesses are entirely preventable. With November’s election in the balance, business leaders can’t afford to wait for this new federal policy to be implemented. While OSHA’s new rule is open to public comment and has yet to be finalized, the private sector would be smart to proactively implement these scientifically vetted standards to better protect workers’ health and safety, which is good for families and good for business.

Failure to act risks increased employee sickness and death, higher costs, and a drain on the economy and competitiveness. In contrast, implementing these changes offers potential benefits, including reduced absenteeism, higher productivity, fewer medical claims, improved employee morale, and enhanced company reputation—not to mention better health.

The health risk that heat poses to employees varies greatly depending on the type of job and industry. While the risks to outdoor occupations like farmworkers and construction may be readily apparent, even indoor workers, such as those in manufacturing environments without adequate ventilation, can be exposed to dangerously high heat.

Geographic and socioeconomic factors also impact risk. Employees from under-resourced and marginalized communities—who make up a significant proportion of our workforce—have the highest morbidity and mortality risks from extreme heat and are usually least protected by employers. The risk factors are multiplied when you consider poor access to water and sanitation in the workplace, inappropriate personal protective equipment, physically demanding work, or high workload.

As physicians, we have seen firsthand how prolonged exposure to heat compromises the body’s ability to cool itself. The result can be a range of health issues, from confusion or loss of consciousness to seizures and vomiting. In severe cases, damage to the heart, brain, and kidneys can occur, even death. Extreme heat also worsens chronic cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. In the U.S., 62% of people with employer-based insurance have at least one chronic condition. This has significant cost implications for employees and employers.

In a recent survey, business leaders acknowledged that extreme weather will be one of the most critical threats to their businesses in the next year. Yet only 17% of CEOs have invested in strategies to protect employees from climate health risks.

This year, the Health Action Alliance, the country’s largest network of employers focused on issues intersecting public health and business, created a new National Commission on Climate and Workforce Health, on which we both serve. Representing a diverse group of prominent U.S. business leaders and public health and safety experts, the commission aims to help employers assess the growing threats to human health and business performance and take the necessary steps to build a climate-resilient and productive workforce.

As a first step, the commission urges companies to do a comprehensive assessment of their current heat-related risks and state of preparedness, and recommends employers invest in training programs to educate workers and managers on the dangers of heat stress and practical steps to mitigate risk. Companies should also explore new technologies such as wearable heat sensors or innovative cooling gear to better protect employees. Resources to help guide employers and support employees can be found on the commission’s website.

In November, world leaders will consider human development as part of the climate negotiations at the COP summit in Azerbaijan, where the impact of climate change on the health of the workforce will be thrust into the global spotlight. There, we have an opportunity to lead. U.S. company leaders should raise the bar in creating new cross-industry standards that better protect workers and enhance business performance in all markets—building the foundation for a new economy and workforce that is resilient in a changing climate.