Heavy work in high heat without adequate protections results in serious harm
Photo credit: Mikael Lefrançois
Heat stress occurs when the body cannot get rid of excess heat
While at rest, the body generates its own heat. More is generated when we move. Jobs with high intensity physical activity—like those in agriculture and construction—generate even more heat in the body.
When that job exposes the worker to the sun, the level of heat workers experience becomes dangerously high, which is known as heat stress.
| Environmental Heat | Internal Heat from Work |
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Workers are most at risk when they have an intense workload in high heat with inadequate labor protections
And harm to workers is felt in their communities, the businesses they work for, health systems, and the whole economy
ILO Video
Key findings on climate change and occupational safety and health
We prevent harm with rest, shade, hydration, and sanitation
Heat stress raises workers’ core body temperature to dangerously high levels, leading to serious harm if left unaddressed. One of our key objectives is to make sure that core body temperature stays below 38°C/100.4°F.
The solution requires rest, shade, hydration, and sanitation (RSH-s). It sounds simple, but actually requires precise operationalization and implementation, which La Isla Network specializes in. We do this by assessing the risk of heat stress and other climate-driven risks, addressing those risks, and assisting in the implementation of the specific protocol we have designed. Our protocols also focus on organizational management to make sure the management team positively engages with the RSH-s program.
Contribute to Our Global Effort
We have embarked on a global effort to address heat stress and other climate change-driven risks. We do this through our programs, such as the Adelante Initiative, PREP, PREP for Change, and ENSURE-Nepal. Through them we implement the solutions needed to prevent harm to worker health.
Help contribute to our cause!
