How Climate Change Threatens Worker Health and Safety

Workers are increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events and climate-related risks, particularly in disaster cleanup roles often filled by immigrant and incarcerated labor. Climate change—already a major risk to worker safety—leaves vulnerable laborers exposed to extreme heat and disaster cleanup with little protection. In light of the Trump Administration’s position of climate change denialism, policies to protect workers are urgently needed. 

Examples:

1. Increased Exposure to Extreme Weather
   • Climate change has intensified the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, wildfires, and heatwaves. Workers involved in disaster cleanup, construction, agriculture, and emergency response are at the front lines, facing dangerous conditions with insufficient protections.
   • Rising global temperatures are increasing the prevalence of heat-related illnesses among outdoor workers. Prolonged exposure without proper rest, hydration, or cooling measures can lead to heat exhaustion, heat stroke, or even death.
2. Exploitation of Vulnerable Workers
   • Many immigrant workers are employed in low-wage, high-risk jobs, such as agriculture, construction, and disaster response. They are often subjected to unsafe conditions, language barriers that prevent them from understanding safety protocols, and fear of retaliation for reporting hazards.
   • Prisoners are frequently used for disaster cleanup efforts, such as firefighting and debris removal, often for minimal pay and with inadequate safety equipment or training.
3. Disaster Response Failures
   • In some cases, employers have failed to prioritize worker safety during disasters, as evidenced by incidents like workers being prevented from leaving facilities despite tornado warnings. These failures reflect a lack of accountability and oversight in disaster management.
4. Policy Rollbacks and Weak Enforcement
   • Under the Trump administration, critical environmental protections have been weakened, including the rollback of EPA regulations. Additionally, OSHA has seen reduced funding and enforcement capacity, leaving workplaces less equipped to handle climate-related risks.

HWC Supported Solutions

As climate change results in higher and higher temperatures, it is imperative that all workers be protected by a federal heat stress standard, requiring employers to provide healthy work, including workplaces that accommodate and/or reduce exposure to high temperatures. By addressing the intersection of climate change and worker safety, we can both highlight the urgency of this issue while advocating for policies that protect vulnerable populations. These efforts not only promote safer work environments but also emphasize the broader societal importance of combating climate change.

1. Strengthen Worker Protections
   • Existing OSHA standards require employers to have an emergency plan in place and to go over this plan with all employees. Advocate for federal and state-level policies requiring employers to implement comprehensive heat protection standards, including mandatory breaks, access to shade, and hydration.
   • Ensure disaster response protocols prioritize worker safety, such as clear evacuation plans and proper training for hazardous conditions.
2. Address Vulnerabilities
   • Protect immigrant workers by enforcing labor rights regardless of immigration status. This includes language-appropriate safety training, whistleblower protections, and robust enforcement of labor laws.
   • Reform policies regarding the use of incarcerated labor in high-risk roles, ensuring equitable pay, adequate safety training, and access to personal protective equipment (PPE).
3. Climate-Resilient Workplaces
   • Support the development of climate-resilient infrastructure and technologies to reduce worker exposure to extreme weather.
   • Promote industries and employers that prioritize sustainability and worker safety in their climate response strategies.
4. Increase Awareness and Accountability
   • Partner with organizations advocating for environmental justice and labor rights to amplify the connection between climate change and worker safety.
   • Advocate for transparency and accountability in disaster response efforts, ensuring employers and government agencies are held responsible for worker safety.
5. Educate and Empower Workers
   • Provide accessible resources on climate-related risks and worker rights, empowering employees to advocate for safer conditions.
   • Conduct campaigns that highlight the human cost of climate inaction, centering the voices of affected workers.
6. Push for Broader Climate Action
   • Align with coalitions advocating for stronger climate policies that mitigate extreme weather events and their impacts.
   • Urge the restoration and strengthening of EPA and OSHA regulations that safeguard workers from climate-related hazards.

HWC Sources/Materials (more?)
HWC Blog: Workers die after being prevented from leaving work despite tornado warnings.
HWC Blog: Heat Stress: Climate Change and Healthy Work