WWJ Worker Heat Campaign
By: Ada Humphrey | June 18, 2024
In Illinois, there are over two million workers in high risk industries for heat-related harms. Warehousing is one of those industries. Beyond the safety and health risks that warehouse workers may face on a regular basis, heat is an added danger in the summer months that is becoming an even bigger threat for workers as temperatures increase and extreme heat events become more frequent and more severe.
Summer officially begins in two days and temperatures are on the rise. That means workers’ lives are at risk. As it stands, there are no existing heat standards in the state of Illinois, or federally, that protect workers from dangerous heat that can be life-threatening.
While there is a proposed federal rule to protect indoor and outdoor workers from heat stress under review at the White House, there is no guarantee that it will pass, and if it does, it may not take effect until next summer. Until our leaders on the state and federal level take workers’ health and safety seriously, organizations like ours are here to help workers enforce their rights in the workplace – that includes the right to be protected from heat-related illness (HRI).
NO WORKER SHOULD DIE FROM HEAT. Worker heat-related deaths are entirely preventable. It’s up to employers to keep workers safe; it’s up to workers to protect themselves and their co-workers in whatever ways possible; and it is up to us all to support them however we can. That’s why this campaign is important. Because workers deserve to feel safe from anything – including extreme heat – that may threaten their lives or wellbeing at work.
Throughout this summer, we will be sharing important information and updates on our campaign, as well as hosting workshops for partners, warehouse workers, and advocates to learn how workers can stay safe from heat-related illness in the warehouse. To stay up to date on WWJs Worker Heat Campaign, follow us on social media or contact us to learn more.
