A recent study has reaffirmed that essential workplace protections against extreme heat—namely access to water, shade, and regular breaks—are crucial in preventing worker injuries. This finding aligns with long-held beliefs among labor and climate advocates who have advocated for public policy changes. This report emerges at a time when the federal government’s shutdown may further delay the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) efforts to establish the first-ever nationwide heat standard for workers in the U.S.
Experts are increasingly concerned that the typical timeline of about seven years for OSHA to finalize new regulations will experience further setbacks due to the current situation.
To gauge the injury risk associated with hot weather, researchers from public health institutions at Harvard University and George Washington University analyzed OSHA’s workplace injury database, examining nearly 900,000 cases reported in 2023. Their findings revealed that approximately 28,000 injuries were directly linked to heat, affecting workers across every industry, including those primarily working indoors. The study, released this week, indicated that the likelihood of injury begins to rise significantly when the heat index—a measure of perceived temperature—reaches 85 degrees Fahrenheit, becoming even more pronounced past 90 degrees.
“This study clearly supports what many of us have intuitively known,” stated Charlotte Brody, vice president of health initiatives at the BlueGreen Alliance, a coalition of labor and environmental activists. “Working under extreme heat makes it challenging to operate safely. As temperatures increase, our coordination and mental clarity decline.”
Prior research has frequently concentrated on the health risks posed by extreme heat, such as serious conditions including heat stroke, fatigue, and nausea. By assessing the increase of workplace injuries on hotter days, this study highlights additional, often overlooked consequences of extreme heat for both employees and employers.
David Michaels, a study co-author and professor at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University, noted, “It’s evident that heat contributes to more than just heat-related illnesses and fatalities; it also leads to thousands of injuries annually. Elevated temperatures make it easier to make hazardous mistakes.” Michaels previously led OSHA from 2009 to 2017.
Juanita Constible, senior advocate for environmental health at the Natural Resources Defense Council, remarked that the study presents the first national examination of heat’s impact on workplace injuries. “The statistics are certainly striking,” she said, affirming that they are not aware of any other comprehensive study covering the continental U.S.
Constible further emphasized that worker injuries incur significant costs for employers through workers’ compensation claims. A recent analysis by Liberty Mutual highlighted that workplace injuries imposed a financial burden of over $58 billion on employers in 2021.
Notably, the research revealed that states with their own heat regulations for worker safety exhibit a lower risk of injuries during hot days compared to those lacking such standards. Constible regarded this as “the most vital finding of the study,” stating, “It provides the first comprehensive assessment of how effective these standards are in reducing dangerous health outcomes.”
For labor and climate advocates, the concept that working in elevated heat levels could not only be uncomfortable but also hazardous is not a surprising revelation. Similarly, those who have endured labor under hot conditions likely understand its grinding effects.
“Intuitively, people relate to this when they experience discomfort while mowing lawns or performing outdoor chores under the sun,” remarked Constible. “It compromises our judgment, affects grip, and alters our posture.”
While the human body can adapt to elevated temperatures over time, this positive adaptation often serves as an excuse for employers to withhold basic necessities such as water, rest breaks, and shade, noted Brody. “This study clearly demonstrates that extreme heat can lead to increased workplace injuries, highlighting the necessity of sensible heat-related regulations,” she concluded.
OSHA is currently accepting final comments on a proposed national heat standard, which was brought forth earlier this year under the Biden administration. However, the ongoing federal government shutdown may impede or extend the process. Brody indicated, “We should anticipate that this could result in delayed progression of OSHA regulations.”
Constible, who spoke at an OSHA hearing on the proposed heat regulations in June, remarked that the ramifications of the shutdown remain uncertain. Currently, the platform for submitting comments remains operational, and OSHA has yet to extend the deadline, set for October 30 since the shutdown commenced last Wednesday.
However, could an extended federal funding impasse disrupt this? The online portal, like all digital platforms, requires consistent maintenance, expressed Constible. Without it, the concern arises: “Will it continue to function?” She mentioned an alternative option for individuals to email their comments to the agency. “If the deadline remains unchanged and the website malfunctions, we’ll begin emailing or I might visit OSHA’s office directly.”
Grist reached out to OSHA for a comment, but received an automated response stating that the account is not being managed due to the government shutdown.
Even if the ongoing heat standard proposal continues through OSHA without any shutdown-related interruptions, both Constible and Brody worry it could be softened in response to industry groups that argue compliance with safety standards is costly and burdensome, stemming from the deregulatory ethos established during the Trump administration. However, Michaels asserted that, “Should the Trump administration truly prioritize worker safety, they will enact a robust standard.”
