Extreme heat is a growing workplace risk, and employers need practical strategies to protect workers and maintain productivity
This article is part of the National Commission on Climate and Workforce Health’s series “Climate Prescription.”
Written by Dr. Leah B. Topper, a family medicine physician and Climate & Health Science Policy Fellow at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, the series translates the latest research on climate-driven health risks into practical insights for employers, HR leaders, and workplace health professionals.
As summer officially winds down in the northern hemisphere, it’s the opportune time to reflect on the current impact of heat and climate change on the workplace. September is also National Preparedness Month, which challenges us to think more broadly about the risks we prepare for. Too often, extreme heat is left off the list, despite the fact that in most years in the United States, it accounts for more deaths than hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes combined.
In August, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released a joint report outlining the need for and guidance surrounding how to protect workers from increasing heat stress.
The findings of this report are striking. For every degree above 20°C (68°F), worker productivity drops by 2%–3%. Extreme heat events have become more frequent and severe. Approximately half the global population experiences the consequences of high temperatures, which include health conditions such as heat stroke, dehydration, kidney dysfunction, and neurologic disorders.
As a physician, my role is twofold: to help prevent illness and complications related to extreme heat and to treat those who suffer its consequences. I recently treated a young construction worker who was newly diagnosed with diabetes. Despite his efforts, he couldn’t maintain adequate hydration during long hours in the heat — a situation that was worsened by his uncontrolled blood sugars. In fact, he was surprised by his new diagnosis of diabetes because he had attributed his increased need for hydration to his job requirements. This is just one example of how heat can exacerbate underlying health issues and affect a large subset of the working population because of their chronic medical conditions.
What can be done? The full WHO/WMO report can be distilled down for employers to a few key practical steps, which can be addressed via multiple teams such as HR, environmental health and safety, risk, operations, sustainability, and more:
Healthcare organizations are also working to implement these guidelines to support vulnerable populations in the face of rising temperatures. During the summer of 2024, a Boston rheumatology clinic piloted a heat alert system to alert and educate its patients on dangerous heat conditions. Physicians, nurses, and medical assistants received electronic warnings on days with extreme heat forecasts, and half of the participating staff reported discussing heat safety with 50% or more of their patients on these days.
Last year, CVS Health launched a similar environmental health initiative, which combines localized weather forecasting data with patient medical and demographic data to understand which of their patients are highly vulnerable to incoming extreme weather events. Nurse care managers then contact these patients in advance of an event and guide how they can protect themselves. These interventions show the feasibility of embedding heat safety into daily workflows, even in busy healthcare settings and systems.
Extreme heat is no longer only a seasonal inconvenience, but a serious occupational health risk. Whether you’re running a construction crew, managing an office, or leading a healthcare team, now is the time to incorporate heat awareness into your workplace’s safety plans. Prevention, innovation, and collaboration can protect our workforce in a rapidly warming world.
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.
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