CWA Calls on Government to Protect Workers from Heat

The federal government must establish protections for workers who are subject to extreme heat, said CWA, along with more than 130 organizations, this week in a petition to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

The filing of the petition marks the launch of a national campaign to raise awareness around the effects of climate change on the health and safety of workers, and to advance standards to prevent injuries and deaths from outdoor and indoor heat stress by instituting mandatory rest breaks, hydration, and access to cool spaces.

During a telephone press conference to unveil the urgent call for action, CWA Local 6210 member Beau Easter, an AT&T Premises Technician in McKinney, Texas, shared the story of how he acted last year to save a fellow CWA member's life just days after he had participated in a crucial CWA safety training on heat illness prevention – an incident that could have been easily prevented by having and enforcing strong heat protection standards for workers.

CWA has been a leader among labor organizations in promoting and establishing heat stress materials; conducting member heat stress education programs; bargaining with key employers to ensure members are provided heat stress protections; and working with OSHA, other unions, and public health organizations to establish a federal heat stress standard. CWA continues to remain active and vigilant towards preventing member heat stress health problems.