An August 2021 analysis of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data shows that worker heat deaths have doubled since the early 1990s.  As heat-related deaths increase, more needs to be done to protect workers in the states and territories of the U.S. New rules need to address the disproportionate impact of heat stress on workers, workers of color, and specifically Latines.  Since 2010, Latines have comprised one-third of all worker heat fatalities despite making up just 17% of the U.S workforce. Experts attribute that figure to overrepresentation in industries that have a higher risk of extreme heat exposure, such as agriculture and construction. Up to 170,000 workers in the U.S. are injured in heat stress related accidents annually. There is a 1% increase in workplace injuries for every increase of 1° Celsius.

As we saw in 2021 with a historic heat wave in the Pacific Northwest, climate change is touching parts of the world that are unprepared and under-resourced to solve these issues. In late June, the heat wave contributed—meaning, it either caused or made another illness —to over 150 injury deaths over a three-week period in the state of Washington alone. More recently, in 2024 the Northeast also experienced historically hot temperatures. In this region “high temperatures plus high humidity can lead to greater risk of heat stress because sweating is less effective in humid conditions. Increased heat stress could cause greater incidences of heat related illnesses, hospital admissions, and deaths among vulnerable populations”. More longer and hotter days is something we are guaranteed to experience across the United States. The map to the right from the National Integrated Health Heat Information System depicts the projected number of days above 90 degrees Fahrenheit between the years 2036-2065. Because of this, workers must have comprehensive federal and state-level protections to ensure their health and safety.

How heat and heat illness prevention contributes to health problems in exposed workers and communities:

1. Heat, like chemical exposures, is often an under-recognized and poorly controlled workplace hazard.
2. Pollution is a major threat to human health and the environment. Current chemical production processes and the poor control of emissions significantly contribute to greenhouse gas pollution which causes climate change. Because of this, the manufacture and release of many chemicals contribute to the cycle of extreme seasonal temperatures, flooding, and several other weather-related disasters, that particularly overwhelms individuals with chronic health problems, outdoor workers, the elderly, and other more vulnerable people. According to the Lancet Commission on pollution and health, pollution was responsible for 9 million premature deaths in 2015, including 1.8 million deaths from toxic chemical pollution. This is a 66% increase from 2000.