Explain It to Me cover image

Explain It to Me

Who protects workers from extreme heat?

Sep 13, 2023
46:39

No matter where you live in the US, this summer was hot. Extremely hot. Temperatures soared all over the country, breaking records almost daily. Even Arizona saw unprecedented heat: Phoenix baked under 110º heat for 31 days straight, with little to no relief at night. The extreme heat poses a grave threat to workers in America, both indoor and outdoor, because there are few to no heat-related protections for workers. It asks the question: Whose responsibility is it to keep us cool?


Read More:

Extreme heat is giving us a glimpse at the dangerous future of work | Vox

Laws don't protect outdoor workers from heat. Advocates say the consequences are deadly 

Heat is not classified as a natural disaster. Arizona officials say that needs to change

Workers exposed to extreme heat have no consistent protection in the US | AP News 


More from David Michaels: 

The Triumph of Doubt: Dark Money and the Science of Deception

Doubt Is Their Product: How industry’s Assault on Science Threatens Your Health


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Credits:

Jonquilyn Hill, host

Sofi LaLonde, producer

Cristian Ayala, engineer

A.M. Hall, editorial director of talk podcasts

Special thanks to Katelyn Bogucki


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