Advocating for Essential Heat Protections for Vulnerable Workers

The tragic passing of sanitation worker Ronald Silver II on a sweltering day in Baltimore, where temperatures soared to a heat index of 108 degrees, underscores a critical issue facing outdoor workers nationwide. Silver collapsed while seeking water, highlighting the deadly risks of extreme heat that many workers face daily.

As 2024 marked the hottest year on record, the hazards of working in extreme temperatures became more apparent. AFSCME members, including sanitation workers in Baltimore and highway workers in Pennsylvania, continue their essential duties despite the life-threatening heat. The impacts of such extreme conditions are well-documented, with studies linking severe heat to health issues like cardiovascular and kidney failure, and heightened risks of workplace injury.

Despite the known dangers, the absence of a federal occupational heat standard persists. Critics argue that implementing measures like rest breaks, water availability, and shade imposes undue burdens on employers. Meanwhile, the need for these basic protections remains urgent. In the past quarter-century, the U.S. has seen a doubling in heat-related fatalities, a statistic that fuels ongoing advocacy efforts for regulatory changes.

California offers a promising model; since revising its heat standards in 2015, the state has seen a 43% reduction in outdoor worker deaths compared to neighboring states lacking such regulations. This data, derived from research by Adam Dean and Jamie McCallum, strengthens the case for broader adoption of heat safety standards. Their study, supported by the Jerry Wurf Memorial Fund at Harvard Law School's Center for Labor and a Just Economy, emphasizes the life-saving potential of legislative action.

With growing momentum for change, states like Arizona and New Mexico are actively exploring heat safety standards, while others such as Colorado, Illinois, and New Jersey have introduced related legislation. Existing protections in states like Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington showcase the effectiveness of such measures. However, opposition remains, most notably in states like Florida and Texas, where local initiatives to establish heat standards have been blocked.

Efforts to address this critical issue continue, as seen in AFSCME's participation in a U.S. Department of Labor hearing advocating for a federal heat standard. The testimony detailed the dire need for enhanced worker protections and included compelling narratives from those affected by the heat. These stories highlight the necessity of immediate action to prevent avoidable tragedies and ensure workers' safety.

As the climate crisis intensifies, the push for comprehensive workplace heat standards becomes increasingly urgent. Protecting workers from extreme heat is not just a matter of policy but a moral imperative to safeguard lives. By mobilizing communities and engaging policymakers, there is potential to enact change that ensures every worker returns home safely.