Know your rights as NC temperatures exceed 90 degrees. Here are worker protections
Summer can be a precarious time for anyone who works outside.
For construction workers, agricultural employees and others who spend extended periods of time outside, the risk of heat-related illness is high, especially during hot summers in North Carolina.
According to the most recent data available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 36 work-related deaths in the U.S. due to environmental heat exposure in 2021.
Fortunately, there are ways workers can protect themselves in the heat.
If you work outdoors in North Carolina, here’s what you need to know about your rights working in the heat.
NC workplace heat protection rights
There are no occupational health standards for heat in North Carolina, according to the N.C. Department of Labor.
However, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are required to provide a work environment that “is free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious harm to employees.”
The law includes “heat-related hazards that are likely to cause death or serious bodily harm,” OSHA says.
How NC workers can protect themselves outdoors
NCDOL offers the following tips on how outdoor workers can protect themselves from excessive heat exposure:
Avoid heavy exertion, extreme heat, sun exposure, and high humidity when possible
Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing
Schedule heavy work during the coolest parts of the day
Take more breaks when doing heavier work
Drink water frequently
Know that protective clothing and personal protective equipment may increase the risk of heat-related illness
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services also recommends informing a supervisor if you are unaccustomed to working in extreme heat, checking on co-workers often, and taking a cold bath or shower to cool down after work.
What to know about heat illness
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, signs of heat-related illness include:
Heavy sweating
Cold, pale and clammy skin
Fast, weak pulse
Nausea and vomiting
Muscle cramps
Tiredness or weakness
Dizziness
Headache
Fainting
Anyone who experiences these symptoms should move to a cool place, loosen their clothes and drink water, the CDC says. You should seek immediate medical attention if your symptoms worsen or last for more than one hour.
