After a month of climate disasters ranging from floods to heat waves, the Health Action Alliance convened experts across public health, labor, and business for an urgent conversation on extreme heat — the fastest-growing climate threat to the American workforce. In this panel, speakers explored the changing policy landscape and how employers can still lead on climate resilience.

Read on for takeaways from the webinar, and watch the full recording here.

Panel: Navigating Policy & Preparedness

Moderated by David Leathers, Program Director of the National Commission on Climate and Workforce Health at HAA, the panel featured cross-sector leaders working to safeguard workers in an era of compounding climate threats:

• Adam Seidner, Chief Medical Officer, The Hartford
• Ann-Marie Sills, Manager, Environmental Health and Industrial Hygiene, Delta Air Lines
• Charlotte Brody, Vice President of Occupational and Environmental Health, BlueGreen Alliance
• Dr. Nadine Gracia, President and CEO, Trust for America’s Health

Key Insights

‍Cross-sector collaboration is key.

Public health departments, academic centers, and professional societies possess valuable data about the communities you work in and can understand what it means for your business.

"There are more than 3,000 local health departments. They span and cover all of the jurisdictions across the country, and truly can be really helpful partners to the business sector in preparing for and responding to extreme heat."

Dr. Nadine Gracia

‍Work within your company.

Tap into existing infrastructure — like regular safety meetings or HR trainings — and partner with teams already thinking about risk.

"Use the infrastructure that’s already in place. Insert yourself into it, listen to employees directly, and build from there."

Ann-Marie Sills

‍Businesses should be motivated to protect worker health and safety, even as policy changes. 

"The biggest thing for businesses [is] obviously to be able to attract and retain their employees, but also the financial impact. So you know, what is the impact on presenteeism, absenteeism?...Look at what are the important numbers for you, OSHA recordables, whatever it is, and you know, keep monitoring that."

Dr. Adam Seidner

‍Make the problem manageable.

‍Planning ahead helps businesses contain and control climate risks before they escalate.

"Let’s acknowledge that heat is going to be an issue. Figure out who it's going to be an issue for and know what you're going to do about it, if that problem happens." ‍

Charlotte Brody

Take-Away Tactics

1. Make a written plan: Work with employees to develop a plan that includes designated implementers, protects against retaliation, and is updated annually — or any time an incident reveals gaps. Share the plan with those who are expected to respond (e.g. your local first responders).
2. Reach out: Whether it’s local public health agencies, universities, or departments within your company, see how others can help you build climate resilience and protect worker health and safety.
3. Create solutions which work for all, not some: Extreme heat and other climate disasters don’t just impact outdoor workers. Think about those you serve who may be overlooked regardless of sector, such as indoor workers or those at higher-risk due to medical conditions.

Resource Roundup

For employers ready to lead on heat and health, these tools can help you get started:

• Health Action Alliance | Climate & Health: The Increasing Risks to Our People-Powered Economy
• Health Action Alliance | Managing Extreme Weather and Climate Risks at Worker: A Starter Guide for HR Leaders
• Health Action Alliance | Climate Health Cost Forecaster
• Health Action Alliance | Protecting Against Extreme Heat
• Health Action Alliance | July 2025 Floods: A Business Guide to Supporting Workers Through Disasters
• Trust for America’s Health | Climate Impact / Environmental Health Landing Page
• Trust for America’s Health | 2025 Ready or Not Report
• Trust for America’s Health | Wellness and Prevention Digest
• Trust for America’s Health | Health Security and Preparedness Newsletter
• Federal Register | Federal OSHA Heat Protection Proposal
• BlueGreen Alliance | Checklist for a Model Heat Illness Prevention Rule
• BlueGreen Alliance | Economic Benefits of Workplace Heat Safeguards
• BlueGreen Alliance | State Heat Standards & Regulations
• Public Health Communications Collaborative | Beat the Heat: Staying Safe in Extreme Conditions

Mark Your Calendars

This September, the Health Action Alliance presents SHE: Seen, Heard, Empowered, a virtual summit focused on helping leaders and changemakers support women’s health in the workplace.

SHE is a call to action for employers to address the health challenges impacting women’s careers, and create stronger, more resilient workforces.

Join leading HR professionals, business leaders, and health advocates as we explore:

• How to better support women through key life transitions, like menopause
• What employers can do to address health care disparities
• Ways to fight stigma and create a stronger, more supportive workplace culture

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Want More Free Tools and Events?

Want to help your company adapt to today’s climate conditions and invest in human and business resilience? Sign up for our monthly newsletter to stay up to date on the latest events, resources, and recommendations from the National Commission on Climate and Workforce Health.

The National Commission on Climate and Workforce Health is a group of business, health, and climate leaders who share a mission to protect workers from the health risks posed by extreme weather.

The Commission was created by the Health Action Alliance in partnership with Mercer and with strategic input from the CDC Foundation. Additional support for the initiative is being provided by Elevance Health and The Hartford. Learn more at ClimateHealthCommission.org.