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Extreme heat is becoming a growing business and employee-safety issue, particularly for companies that rely on outdoor workers in industries such as construction, agriculture and delivery, The New York Times reports.
More than 550 workers die from heat exposure each year, while researchers estimate that about 28,000 work injuries annually are linked to hot weather. For employers, heat exposure can result in serious employee injuries and potential regulatory penalties.
However, federal protections for workers facing extreme heat remain limited, and some states have prevented local governments from establishing their own requirements. Business groups in Texas, for example, have argued that heat regulations could be burdensome for small businesses and that a single statewide standard is preferable to a patchwork of local rules.
For employees, the risks can be severe, particularly for those who spend long hours outdoors in high temperatures and humidity. Letter carriers have recorded more than 1,330 heat-related incidents over a two-year period.
The death of a Dallas mail carrier in 2023 highlighted the dangers after he collapsed on his route when the heat index reached 113 degrees. OSHA fined the Postal Service $15,625, citing its failure to recognize the hazards of high temperatures, humidity and direct sunlight.
For businesses, the growing frequency of extreme heat creates an ongoing challenge of protecting employees while maintaining operations, particularly as experts expect heat risks to increase with extreme weather.
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