In September, the Biden-Harris administration hosted its first-ever White House Summit on Extreme Heat. The summit gathered federal agencies, White House staff and stakeholders from many industries and communities to address the toll that extreme heat is taking on workers, infrastructure and the livelihoods of families across the U.S.
Nate Schreiber, Industrial Hygienist for the LHSFNA’s Occupational Safety & Health Division, attended the summit and spoke on behalf of LIUNA members and signatory contractors.
“It was an honor to represent LIUNA’s members and signatory contractors at this event and share some real-world examples of the challenges they’re facing on an almost daily basis,” said Schreiber. “Addressing extreme heat is a significant issue that deserves our attention and resources.”
It’s crucial that construction workers and contractors have a seat at the table because extreme heat affects them more than other industries. Construction workers represent six percent of the U.S. workforce but account for 36 percent of heat-related workplace deaths.
“As federal and state agencies focus on building resilient infrastructure, it’s up to employers to create jobsites that help workers stay resilient in extreme heat,” said LHSFNA Management Co-Chairman David F. Rampone. “Investing in shade structures, hydration stations, worker training and health monitoring can all safeguard workers’ health as they build these critical projects.”
Workers and contractors are also paying attention to extreme heat for its impact on performance, cognitive function and safety. A California study of workers’ compensation claims found that workplace injury risk increases five to seven percent at 80-90℉. That risk climbs to 10-15 percent at 100℉.
While Federal OSHA has proposed a heat standard that would cover both indoor and outdoor workers at 80℉ and above, it’s unlikely to go into effect until at least the middle of 2025. In the meantime, proactive employers can look to excellent state standards such as those in Oregon, Washington, California and Maryland, as well as accepted industry best practices.
The basics of preventing heat-related illness on the job include providing workers with water, rest breaks, shade and time to acclimatize to work conditions. However, there are other steps employers can take to reduce heat exposure while maintaining a productive workplace.
Part of Schreiber’s visit to the White House Summit included sharing how LIUNA signatory contractors are protecting LIUNA members from extreme heat. One example included rotating workers during extreme conditions, such as pouring asphalt on a highway job.
“You can imagine the heat being given off by 200℉ asphalt during a highway job,” said Schreiber. “In this case, the contractor doesn’t allow workers to be behind the paver for longer than 30 minutes at a time due to heat load. It takes a 20-ton truck about 30 minutes to pour, so workers are rotated out on every truck change.”
This best practice employs the hierarchy of controls to remove workers from the hazard to allow them to cool down and rehydrate. In another example, LIUNA signatory contractors used wearable technology to monitor workers’ heat load.
“We have members performing high-hazard work in full Tyvek suits and scrubs in the summer heat. In these conditions, it’s easy to miss the signs of heat illness,” said Schreiber. “To combat this, the contractor equipped each worker with heat monitoring devices that measure heart rate value (HRV) and core body temperature. These devices are monitored by other workers, who alert the affected person if their HRV or core body temperature gets too high.”
Contractors in search of additional heat illness prevention best practices can also consult ANSI/ASSP A10.50-2024, Heat Stress Management in Construction and Demolition Operations.
Following the Summit, the White House announced a new Extreme Heat Call to Action, which calls on state and local governments and private and non-profit organizations to lead by example and protect people from extreme heat in 2025 and beyond.
The White House also announced the publication of a Community Heat Action Checklist, a tool for local governments to plan and prepare for extreme heat.
The White House Extreme Heat Summit was a milestone on the path to a safer, cooler and more resilient future. Thanks to the LHSFNA’s advocacy, LIUNA members will continue to have their needs heard on this important issue.
[Nick Fox]
