Summers in the Philadelphia region are getting hotter as climate change pushes temperatures higher, with this year being the fifth warmest on record, writes Sophia Schmidt for WHYY.

This extreme heat has already started creating issues for outdoor workers. According to a new report recently released by the research nonprofit Urban Institute, over one in seven outdoor workers across the country experienced heat exhaustion and other heat-related symptoms while on the job in 2023.

“Extreme heat is more than just an inconvenience — it’s a serious health risk for workers,” said Lisa Clemans-Cope, author and senior research fellow at the Urban Institute. “Without stronger protections, these numbers are going to rise as the temperature rises.”

The survey found that several industries were most affected by the health impacts of heat, including agriculture, mining, and construction. Around 283,000 people in Pennsylvania worked in mining, logging, and construction in August.

The federal government proposed new rules this summer that would require employees to provide water, shade, and breaks for their employees at certain temperatures. However, the rules are facing opposition from industry groups.

Some states have already enacted their own protections regarding workplace heat, but Pennsylvania is not among them.

Read more about how climate change is affecting outdoor workers in WHYY.

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