Temperatures rise, companies 'flying blind' on heat stress risk

Temperatures rise has put workplace heat stress back in focus, with industry groups offering more tailored guidance as companies struggle to respond to extreme conditions. Reporting dated July 6 says many employers are still effectively “flying blind” because regulations defining “excessive” heat and required actions vary or are incomplete across countries. Lucy Siers of NYU Stern’s Center for Business and Human Rights says the lack of visibility leaves firms unable to act decisively. In the U.S., the American Apparel and Footwear Association and HRCI have issued protocols, while the garment-focused International Accord is developing similar advice. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization warns temperatures regularly reach the high 40s Celsius in some regions. The ILO estimates excessive heat causes nearly 19,000 deaths and about 22.85 million occupational injuries annually. The WHO and World Meteorological Organization find productivity drops 2% to 3% per degree above 20C.