Unions, advocate groups, and civil societies call for Too Hot to Work Protections NOW!

Employment law was not written to anticipate a rise in extreme environmental disasters. Since 2021, thousands of workers around British Columbia struggled under increasing extreme weather events such as wildfires, heat domes, and extreme heat; and the coming years will continue to see an increase in unsafe work conditions for precarious and marginalized workers on the frontlines of the climate crisis. 

While workers are already impacted now, the climate crisis is only going to continue to intensify whether our workforce is ready or not. Extreme heat has grave consequences on the wellbeing of workers. Extreme heat poses a real threat to the health of workers and people in BC, and we have already seen people be impacted and even die in past heat domes. Workers most affected by climate events tend to be at the intersection of multiple crises/traumas. The most affected workers are predominantly racialized, gendered, migrant, disabled workers - workers already facing injustice, discrimination and inequity.   

Following the lead of other jurisdictions globally - there needs to be a legal maximum working temperature introduced for workers in British Columbia, just like the already existent legal minimum working temperature. Current occupational health and safety measures are related to body temperature at 38 degrees; however, this doesn’t proactively limit workers’ exposure to heat stress and perform their jobs safely. In addition, there are barriers for precarious and made marginal workers to refuse unsafe work such as fear of retaliation, in turn, putting them at risk of heat illness. 

The Ministry of Labour and WorkSafe BC needs to review other jurisdictions’ heat exposure measures and establish ‘Too Hot to Work’ protections within existent regulations for workers working indoors without air conditioning and for outdoor workers at high risk of heat stress, such as in the agricultural and construction sector.

Workers in BC need immediate implementation of Too Hot to Work protections now.

 A robust Too Hot to Work policy would:

• Ensure vulnerable, at-risk communities; including migrant workers and workers with disabilities are adequately protected during extreme heat

• Implement health and safety procedures including access to hydration, shade and cooling during above average heat temperatures

• Include additional breaks for redress during extreme heat and heat domes, particularly for at-risk workers including outdoor workers, workers engaged in strenuous work, workers on 12 hour shifts, and workers required to wear heavy clothing or gear

• Ensure access to PPE and thermometers to assist workers in staying safe and assessing heat conditions at worksites

• Include a robust enforcement policy, including enforcement of heat assessment practices

• Mandate the conduction of 1000 workplace inspections relating to heat exposure, with a focus on complaints that came in during the 2021 heat dome

The B.C.government can act to protect workers in the province in a meaningful way, with Too Hot to Work protections. Government can set precedence for the country, and be remembered as a government paving the way for measures responsive to the climate crisis. There is well-established precedent across the globe showing that such a measure is doable, while also creating a framework that could be adapted for the local context of BC.

By implementing Too Hot to Work protections for the most precarious of workers, the B.C. government can ensure no worker is left behind. Too Hot to Work protections support historically marginalized groups by ensuring they are supported, protected, and able to maintain safe working conditions.

In this way, Too Hot to Work protections are not just about climate or labour justice but also disability justice, justice for marginalized genders, justice for racialized groups - justice for all groups overwhelmingly impacted by extreme heat and historical injustices.

We strongly encourage the B.C. government to be proactive in its response to the climate crisis and answer the call demanding Too Hot to Work policies. These measures would protect the wellbeing of countless people, and even save lives. We believe in our government’s capability to do the right thing.