Between 2010 and 2017, heat-related illnesses claimed the lives of 20 workers in California.
Although most of the workers were employed outdoors, it is worth noting that there were at least seven individuals who worked indoors. It is important to recognize that working indoors on extremely hot days can be just as hazardous as working outdoors.
According to Frazzini, the temperatures get exceptionally high despite the lack of direct exposure to the sun.
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Ali Frazzini works for the chief sustainability office of Los Angeles County.
A couple of years back, a study was conducted by her office to examine the impact of global warming on the residents of L.A. County.
During the summer, workplaces such as indoor car washes and warehouses lacking air conditioning can become exceedingly hot, according to her.
In some cases, the indoor temperatures can exceed the outdoor ones, posing a significant threat to the employees’ health. Prolonged exposure to such high temperatures can lead to severe health issues, including heat stroke.
Although there are potential hazards associated with working in high temperatures, most of the guidelines and policies implemented to safeguard employees from such conditions concentrate on outdoor settings such as agricultural fields.
According to Frazzini, they have been actively advocating for state regulations that safeguard the well-being of both indoor and outdoor workers.
California has recently introduced standards that mandate the provision of cool-down areas, cold water, and other safety measures for indoor workers. These measures are aimed at ensuring the safety and well-being of workers, especially in the face of the increasingly extreme heat caused by global warming.
