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June 2023 was Earth’s hottest June on record. In Phoenix, Arizona, temperatures have set a record of reaching more than 110 degrees for more than 20 days. Across Texas and much of the South, heat waves and storms have cut off people’s power. And since May 1, half of the US population has received an extreme weather alert, both from heat and from natural disasters like wildfire smoke, flooding, and storms. Similar risks exist in Mexico: between June 12 and 25,104 people died from heat-related emergencies like heatstroke and dehydration, according to the government’s Health Ministry.

No matter where you work, here is some information you can use to stay prepared and protected as heat makes our workplaces more dangerous.

Why is it so hot this summer?

Human pollution and fossil-fuel activity have increased the levels of chemicals like carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere. These greenhouse gasses have trapped heat from the sun, which has caused the Earth to warm by around 2º Fahrenheit (1.1º Celsius) since 1850. Climate change, according to scientists, makes extreme weather events more likely all over the world, including droughts, floods, snowstorms, and heat waves.

While not every heat wave is the product of climate change, scientists have linked about 10 percent of all extreme heat alerts in the United States so far this year to climate change.

What’s the harm of working while it is hot?

High temperatures can become dangerous when people are exposed over the many hours of a workday and when people lack safety measures like shade, breaks, and drinking water at their workplaces. Migrant workers are at particular risk when they work outdoors or inside warehouses or packing facilities, where they may not be provided breaks to cool down or they may have to wear heavy clothing. Crab workers, for example, often pick crabs inside the same building where crabs are being steamed, which not only creates a hot facility but also leads to the long-term development of asthma.

Heat stress can result from unsafe heat exposure and harm workers, up to and including serious injury and death. It is most likely to affect people in the first 14 days of work because it takes time for the body to acclimate to a new environment. The first signs of heat stress may include symptoms like a headache or an increased heart rate, followed by dizziness or heavy sweating, and even fainting or seizures. Click here to learn more about heat stress and a fuller list of symptoms.

What are my rights to work without extreme heat exposure?

You have the right to a safe and healthy workplace, regardless of your immigration status. Specifically, you have the right to a workplace free from heat-related hazards when they are likely to cause death or serious bodily harm. You also have the right to:

● Receive health and safety training in your workplace in a language you understand

● Receive necessary personal protective equipment

● Request an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspection and speak to the investigator

● Report an injury or illness you got at work, including heat stress or heat illness

● View the results of tests performed to find hazards in your workplace

You have the right to make a complaint about unsafe or unsanitary conditions at work, including conditions that cause heat stress. Your employer may not retaliate against you for making a health and safety complaint, for example, by firing you, making threats, or reducing your pay. If you think your employer may be retaliating against you, you can report retaliation directly to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration by phone at the nearest office or online here.

In some states, like California and Oregon, you may have additional rights to protection against heat exposure at work.

What can I do to stay safe?

First, use reliable sources of information on extreme weather events. Wireless Emergency Alerts and the Emergency Alert System provide short emergency messages from US government officials that you should automatically receive on your phone. You can contact local officials if you are not receiving messages. In the United States, you can alsodownload the FEMA App to receive real-time weather and emergency alerts, send messages to loved ones, locate emergency shelters, and more. This website has more information about all these resources.

Second, learn to recognize the symptoms of exposure to extreme heat. You should rest in the shade or in an air-conditioned place when you feel hot. Stay in the shade and avoid direct sunlight whenever possible, for example by wearing a hat when working outdoors. If you are working indoors, use fans. It is also advisable to wear loose-fitting clothing in light colors

It is very important to drink plenty of water and avoid drinks with caffeine and excess sugars, such as soda. When you are working in hot environments, you should drink about a glass of water every 15-20 minutes, which is about a liter of water every hour. Drinking in shorter intervals is more effective than drinking large amounts infrequently. Remember to drink before you are thirsty! When you feel thirsty, you are already experiencing dehydration.

If you have heat stress symptoms, find a cool, shady area immediately, take a break, and drink water. Cool down with ice packs, if you can. If your symptoms don't improve after 20-30 minutes, seek medical help immediately. To report an emergency in the United States, call 911.

To anonymously report unsafe or unhealthy conditions in your workplace, or to request an inspection of your workplace or your employer-provided housing, call the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) at 1-800-321-6742 and ask for the closest office. For information on how to file a complaint, visit this site.

This blog is not legal advice. If you or someone you know is experiencing some kind of workplace abuse or problem in your workplace, you can contact Centro de los Derechos del Migrante, Inc. (CDM). You can call from the United States at 855-234-9699 and from Mexico at 800-590-1773. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (CT).

· Imágen: Flickr/Pimkie 2008/Vía Flickr.com

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