Extreme heat is a workplace hazard. We must treat it that way

National Observer

a day ago

Relentless heatwaves have swept across much of Canada, bringing blistering temperatures that aren't just uncomfortable — they're dangerous.
In 2021, British Columbia's 'heat dome' claimed the lives of 619 people. This wasn't an isolated weather event. It was a public health disaster that exposed just how unprepared our systems are for a rapidly warming planet.
In Ontario, we've already seen multiple days under extreme heat warnings this season. It's the most vulnerable who feel it the most: seniors, children, people living in high-rises without air conditioning, and the people who work outdoors or in overheated environments. This isn't a warning about what's coming. This is a warning about what's here.
We can't afford to treat extreme heat as just another summer nuisance. These are the real and dangerous effects of climate change, and they are already costing lives and putting working people at risk.
Heat is a workplace hazard. We must treat it that way.
Whether it's a construction site, a delivery route, a farm, a factory floor or a commercial kitchen, Canadian workers are sweating it out in conditions that would be considered unsafe in any other context. Heat stress isn't the new normal. It is a serious occupational hazard, just like exposure to toxic chemicals or operating heavy machinery.
And the risks are real — heat stroke, dehydration, exhaustion, fainting. Heat exposure has also been linked to heart attacks, kidney damage, pregnancy complications and other chronic health conditions. In indoor workplaces that are already hot — such as bakeries, industrial kitchens, or warehouses without ventilation — the danger only multiplies. The effects are cumulative, meaning exposure day after day can push the body past its limit.
We need strong, enforceable heat protection regulations in every federal and provincial workplace, writes Bea Bruske
We must also talk about the workers and people affected in classrooms and long-term care homes. Just like workers in kitchens or postal routes, long-term care staff work in suffocating conditions while trying to care for some of the most heat-vulnerable people in our society. Many long-term care facilities and schools are decades old, poorly ventilated and lack adequate cooling. These are not just comfort issues. They are questions of dignity, safety and health.
Shockingly, only 30 per cent of schools in Toronto's public system have air conditioning. Educational workers and our children are trying to teach and learn in the same oppressive heat many workers are forced to labour in. Students in overheated classrooms can't concentrate, while educators are expected to perform under relentless physical stress. This isn't just a discomfort issue. It's about safety. It's about public health.
And yet, Ontario doesn't even track heat-related deaths the way Quebec and British Columbia do. That's unacceptable. Without proper surveillance and data, how can we protect people? Ontario needs to enhance its reporting of heat-related deaths, especially as climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events. Advocates are calling for a more comprehensive approach: investigating deaths where heat is a contributing factor, and better tracking and reporting on demographics, living conditions and exposure levels. We can't manage what we don't measure. This information will help craft effective public health responses, protect the most vulnerable and hold employers and governments accountable.
We must act
We need strong, enforceable heat protection regulations in every province and federally. That means:
Requiring heat risk assessments at worksites;
Enshrining the right for workers to rest, hydrate and cool down;
Mandating shaded areas, water stations and proper protective equipment;
Training employers and workers to recognize the signs of heat stress;
And empowering joint health and safety committees to take real action when heat hazards arise.
Workers also need the power to refuse unsafe work when it's too hot, without fear of reprisal. That means strong enforcement, clear definitions, and real accountability for employers who fail to act.
We also need our public infrastructure to catch up with this new reality. That includes investments in cooling stations, retrofitting social housing and schools, and ensuring frontline responders are equipped to deal with the increasing health impacts of climate change.
No one should have to put their health at risk for a paycheque.
As temperatures continue to rise, so must our standards. We must ensure that all workers are protected, not just in theory, but in practice. Because the next heat wave shouldn't come with another death toll. It should come with a worker-centred plan.
Workers built this country. The least we can do is keep them safe — on the job, and in their communities.