Jason Glaser is CEO of the La Isla Network and a Time100 Next list for 2024 honoree, a prestigious recognition highlighting some of today’s most influential leaders. 

Recently, La Isla Network conducted a five-year research study in Nicaragua at the San Antonio sugar mill, producer of Flor de Caña rum. The study demonstrated that implementing a structured rest-shade-hydration program to combat heat stress led to a positive return on investment, with $1.60 gained for every $1.00 spent. The program reduced absenteeism, improved productivity, and lowered healthcare costs by preventing heat-related illnesses like chronic kidney disease. 

We caught up with Jason Glaser to discuss the study and takeaways about protecting workers in extreme heat. 

How might this research extend to workers in industries beyond sugar production?

La Isla Network (LIN), through its global network of researchers, has observed similar occupational health risks in other high-risk industries and geographies, not just in sugarcane fields in Mesoamerica. We know that proactively preventing harm and ensuring safe working conditions can reduce risks and drive efficiency across sectors like construction, agriculture, manufacturing, and beyond. 

Many heat resilience research centers and governmental institutions are already tackling the issue within their respective geographies. However, La Isla Network stands apart in its commitment and capacity to act quickly on prevention strategies, whether improving hydration protocols in outdoor workplaces or rethinking job design to reduce heat exposures. 

We’re also protean, being able to address more environmental exposure risks than heat stress, something we’ve shown by our studies into dust exposure in Mesoamerica. By addressing environmental exposure hazards before they become crises, organizations can save on turnover, medical expenses, and lost productivity costs.

What are the key takeaways from this research, and how should professionals apply them in practice?

First and foremost, investing in worker safety and health is the right thing to do. The central takeaway is that investing in worker safety and health isn’t just the right thing to do ethically — it also makes solid business sense with immediate returns. 

For U.S.-based employers, this can mean enhanced productivity, decreased absenteeism, reduced injuries, less legal liability, and stronger workforce retention. Many businesses already have OSH, environmental exposure experts, and ESG professionals in their organization who can spearhead the kinds of interventions LIN specializes in. But too often they lack what it needs to make actionable change. 

That’s where LIN comes in. Here’s what we suggest: Implement comprehensive safety plans, engage employees on this issue, and collect and analyze data. Incorporate heat safety measures, frequent breaks, and adequate hydration, especially in high-temperature or labor-intensive environments; encourage open dialogue and feedback from employees on health risks and conditions; use your workers’ health and safety metrics to continuously improve your practices, demonstrating a commitment to workforce well-being that resonates with both employees, stakeholders, and the wider community.

How can organizations use this research to build a compelling internal business case for action?

Data, data, data. Stories, stories, stories. Leverage concrete data points — like the reductions in medical claims, injury rates, or turnover seen in workplaces that adopt improved health and safety measures — and translate them into financial outcomes. 

Also, speak to workers on the frontline. They are the foundation of any business and are critical to its well-being, so it makes sense to hear them out and ensure their well-being. First, compare costs and benefits: highlight how upfront spending on training, protective equipment, or on-site healthcare resources can prevent high-cost incidents and chronic health issues among your workforce over time. Second, link workforce safety and health to productivity: show how a healthier workforce is more engaged and more productive, which can directly impact profitability. Finally, align with corporate responsibility goals: connect any health and safety improvements to the business’s broader ESG commitments. Many U.S.-based companies have strategic goals in their company policies and vision that align naturally with protecting worker health, but need to be teased out. It’s a fact that days will become hotter and there will be more of them. If OSH isn’t a concern for your company today, it will be tomorrow.

Where can readers find additional information or resources related to this research?

You can visit La Isla Network’s website for detailed studies, publications, and practical tools. We also regularly share updates on implementation strategies, success stories from partner industries, and ongoing research findings. There you’ll find everything from heat stress prevention guidelines to industry-specific case studies that can help inform your own workplace initiatives.

What is one thing employers can do today based on La Isla Network’s research?

Start a proactive conversation about workplace health and safety. Gather insights from frontline staff and leadership to identify major pain points, such as exposure to heat or high-pressure production demands, and quickly act on at least one immediate improvement. Doing a walkthrough of the worksite is so valuable and can be fruitful. Whether providing extra water stations, instituting more frequent breaks, or training supervisors to recognize early signs of occupational illnesses, this initial step can lay the groundwork for broader policy changes and a stronger safety culture overall.

Jason Glaser is the CEO of La Isla Network, an organization dedicated to ending heat-related illnesses among workers worldwide. He leads efforts to develop data-driven solutions and scalable interventions, partnering with industries, governments, and global institutions. Focused on advancing research and policy to protect at-risk workers, Jason was recently named to TIME’s 100 Next list for his groundbreaking work in occupational health and sustainable labor systems.

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