‘Your body fights to stay cool’: workers toil in record heat as federal rule frozen
Outdoor workers are facing record-breaking heat waves while federal protections for heat-related safety have been frozen by the current administration. Laborers describe the physical toll of working in extreme temperatures without adequate regulatory support for breaks or hydration.
Why it matters
The rollback of safety regulations during record heat events raises significant concerns regarding worker health, safety, and labor rights.
A man wipes the sweat away after working on the spray deck at the Vietnam Veterans Swimming and Wading Pool on June 24, 2025. A man wipes the sweat away after working on the spray deck at the Vietnam Veterans Swimming and Wading Pool on June 24, 2025. Extreme heat ‘Your body fights to stay cool’: workers toil in record heat as federal rule frozen Trump officials and Republicans are rolling back protections against heat-related illnesses and deaths
Prefer the Guardian on Google When it’s 90F on a hot summer day, Esther Minton wears a long-sleeved shirt to work.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in