protections
Newsletter
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Biden's heat protection rule leaves public sector workers at risk
A loophole in a 1972 law prevents about 7.9 million public-sector workers from receiving OSHA's proposed heat protections.
In short:
- Congress passed a law in 1972 excluding public workers from OSHA protections, leaving millions vulnerable to workplace injuries and heat-related risks.
- OSHA's new heat rule mandates private employers provide water and rest breaks, but public workers in 23 states remain unprotected.
- Public-sector workers have nearly double the injury rate of private-sector workers, highlighting the need for comprehensive safety regulations.
Key quote:
"If they aren’t covered by OSHA, they have no right to a safe workplace. If someone gets hurt or killed, there is no investigation, no citation, no lessons learned."
— Jordan Barab, former OSHA deputy assistant secretary
Why this matters:
The exclusion of public workers from OSHA protections can result in higher injury rates and potential fatalities, especially in extreme heat. Ensuring all workers are protected can prevent unnecessary deaths and injuries.
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Heated policies: contrasting worker protections in California and Florida
California and Florida, both dealing with rising heat-related deaths, have adopted opposing approaches to worker heat protections, reflecting broader political divides.
In short:
- California mandates water and air-conditioned areas for workers in temperatures over 82°F, with additional measures at 87°F.
- Florida prohibits local governments from requiring employers to provide heat protections, leaving it to employers to decide.
- The federal OSHA proposed heat regulations, but they may not be finalized until 2026 and could face challenges.
Key quote:
“You can look at safety standards in each state, whether it’s heat standards or others, and it’ll track with how union-dense those states are.”
— Lorena Gonzalez, head of the California Labor Federation
Why this matters:
Heat-related deaths are climbing due to climate change, highlighting the need for robust worker protections. How should the U.S. balance economic freedoms with the imperative to safeguard public health in the face of a warming planet? As heat waves become more frequent and severe, this question will only grow more urgent, demanding thoughtful and decisive action from policymakers across the spectrum.
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UN calls for stronger protections for Indigenous rights and against exploitative green projects
A new UN report emphasizes the need for countries to enhance protections for Indigenous peoples and ensure that green energy projects do not exploit their lands.
In short:
- The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues calls for greater respect for Indigenous sovereignty.
- The report highlights the risks of carbon credit schemes and other green projects that can harm Indigenous communities.
- The UN advises international bodies to focus on Indigenous rights, avoid diluting their importance, and support conservation efforts.
Key quote:
“The need for sovereignty for all Indigenous peoples is critical, is paramount, to us literally surviving.”
— Makanalani Gomes, Native Hawaiian activist
Why this matters:
Indigenous communities often face exploitation through climate change mitigation projects that overlook their rights and needs. Ensuring their participation in environmental decision-making is vital for both their survival and the success of global climate efforts.
Related EHN coverage:
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Credit: alejandroavilacortez/Pixabay
Increasing workplace deaths from extreme heat prompt new regulations
As extreme heat leads to increasing workplace fatalities, the Biden administration is pushing for new safety regulations, though facing substantial opposition.
Coral Davenport and Noah Weiland report for The New York Times.
In short:
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is preparing to propose a new rule to protect workers from extreme heat, covering around 50 million people.
- Last year recorded the highest number of heat-related deaths in the U.S., with 2,300 fatalities, and emergency room visits for heat illnesses surged.
- Business groups are resisting the proposed regulations, citing the complexity and costs of implementation.
Key quote:
"The threat to people from extreme heat is reaching a point where we have to rethink how, at all levels of government, we are preparing and putting in place a response that matches the severity of the problem."
— Dr. John M. Balbus, deputy assistant secretary for climate change and health equity in the Health and Human Services Department
Why this matters:
The sweltering summer heat is not just an inconvenience; it's becoming a deadly force in American workplaces. Recent data points to a disturbing rise in heat-related fatalities among workers, particularly those in outdoor industries like construction and agriculture. However, the push for new safety protocols is encountering significant resistance from various quarters. Some industry groups argue that the regulations would impose undue financial burdens on businesses, particularly small enterprises already grappling with post-pandemic economic recovery.
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Credit: Daniel Bradley/Unsplash
Workers call for heat safety in kitchens
In a bid to protect food workers from rising temperatures, a group rallies for change, focusing on the vulnerabilities experienced during the 2021 heatwave.
In short:
- Food service workers in British Columbia seek legislation for maximum temperature limits in workplaces to combat the dangers of working in excessive heat.
- Workers Solidarity Network plans a rally to urge for changes that ensure safer working conditions during extreme weather.
- The call for new standards comes after a report highlighted the adverse effects of the 2021 heat dome on food service employees.
Key quote:
“For food service workers, refusing unsafe work is very complicated for many of them, when their hours and their wages are on the line or they fear broader employer retaliation.”
— Jen Kostuchuk, climate and labour project coordinator at WSN
Why this matters:
For food workers, who often work in kitchens or environments where temperatures can soar due to cooking equipment, these regulations are a lifeline. High temperatures can lead to heat stress, dehydration, and more severe heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke, which not only endanger workers' health but also impair their ability to perform tasks safely and effectively.
LISTEN: El’gin Avila on workers' health and the gig economy.
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Miami-Dade County mulls the strictest workplace heat rules in the U.S.
Miami-Dade County’s proposed heat standard would mandate water, shade and rest for outdoor workers and could be a model for other local governments to follow.
Pixabay
Workers exposed to extreme heat have few protections
Tens of millions of Americans are struggling to cope with soaring temperatures. OSHA is developing new workplace safety standards, but they are not yet complete.
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