NEWS RELEASE: Federation of Labour Launches Workplace Heat Stress Campaign
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, July 9, 2025
ST. JOHN’S, NL – The Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour (NLFL) launched a workplace heat stress campaign today to address the growing issue of excessive heat in workplaces.
“Heat exposure is a life-threatening occupational hazard with serious short- and long-term consequences – and it can escalate dangerously fast,” said NLFL President Jessica McCormick. “As our planet warms, heat stress is becoming a workplace crisis within the broader climate crisis. Workers must know their rights, employers must take immediate action to protect them, and governments must implement strong policies to ensure worker safety.”
The campaign focuses on three key priorities:
- Educating workers on the signs and dangers of heat stress, as well as their legal rights to a safe workplace;
- Collecting worker experiences through an online survey and a “Share Your Story” form to document how heat impacts their health and their work; and
- Demanding action from employers and governments to implement stronger protections against extreme heat.
“This summer, we’ll be engaging with workers, on the ground and online, to hear firsthand how heat stress affects them, how has the situation changed in recent years, whether employers are taking proper precautions, and what more must be done to keep workers safe,” said McCormick. “Many workers in our province face extreme heat at work, whether indoors or outdoors, and the situation will only get worse as climate change makes our summers hotter. The information we gather and the conversations we have will drive our fight for change.”
For more details on the campaign, visit: https://nlfl.nf.ca/campaigns/heat-stress/
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