Workers are more likely to be injured on very hot days

Summary

Episode Overview

Main Theme:
This episode of Climate Connections, hosted by Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz on July 6, 2026, explores the increasing risk of workplace injuries during very hot days—a direct impact of global warming. The episode spotlights research from the New York State Insurance Fund and an innovative program designed to help small businesses better protect their employees from extreme heat.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Dangers of Working in Extreme Heat

• Workplace Risk:
  Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz opens the episode by emphasizing the dangers faced by workers during long shifts in hot environments, such as farm fields or restaurant kitchens. The risk includes serious illness and potentially fatal heat stroke.

• Research Findings:
  Gaurav Vasish of the New York State Insurance Fund discusses the results of their analysis:

  • Higher Injury Rates:

    “Injuries on average were 45% more likely and 20% more severe.”
    — Gaurav Vasish, 00:29

The Link to Climate Change

• More Extreme Heat Events:
  Dr. Leiserowitz notes that global warming is driving an increase in extreme heat days, which in turn raises the risk for workers.

Solutions and Support for Small Businesses

• New York State Insurance Fund’s Program:

  • Program Initiation:
    In response to the risks, a new program was launched last year to help small businesses in high-risk industries like construction, manufacturing, and farming.

  • Support Offered:
    The program offers a 10% premium credit (up to $1,000) for the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) designed to mitigate the effects of extreme heat. Examples include:

    • Fans
    • Cooling vests
    • Ventilated hard hats

  • Impact and Reception:

    “People have come up to us and said that they've been able to purchase PPE that they wouldn't have been able to purchase. It's pretty heartening to hear that.”
    — Gaurav Vasish, 00:56

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Rising Risks:

  “Injuries on average were 45% more likely and 20% more severe.”
  — Gaurav Vasish, 00:29

• Power of Support Programs:

  “People have come up to us and said that they've been able to purchase PPE that they wouldn't have been able to purchase. It's pretty heartening to hear that.”
  — Gaurav Vasish, 00:56

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Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:01: Host introduces the topic and the dangers of extreme heat for workers
• 00:29: Gaurav Vasish shares research on increased workplace injuries during hot days
• 00:36: Discussion of climate change increasing extreme heat events
• 00:56: Vasish details the new NYS Insurance Fund program and its impact on small businesses

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Conclusion

The episode succinctly connects climate change’s intensification of heat waves to public health and workplace safety. By highlighting both the scientific data and practical solutions like the PPE credit program, Climate Connections underlines the immediate risks of global warming and the tangible ways communities and businesses can adapt.

Transcript

[A]

I'm Dr. Anthony Lyzewitz, and this is Climate Connections Working A long shift in intense heat can be dangerous, whether it's in a sunny farm field or a sweltering restaurant kitchen. People working in these conditions can get seriously ill or even suffer a potentially fatal heat stroke. Gaurav Asisht of the New York State Insurance Fund says an analysis by his group showed that workers compensation claims were were much more common on very hot days.

[B]

Injuries on average were 45% more likely and 20% more severe.

[A]

And global warming is bringing more extreme heat. So last year, the New York State Insurance Fund began offering a program to help small businesses in industries such as construction, manufacturing and farming buy fans, cooling vests, ventilated hard hats and other personal protective equipment, or PPE, for their employees.

[B]

This is a 10% premium credit up to $1,000 that's available to small businesses that purchase PPE to protect their employees from the effects of climate change of extreme heat. Vasish says the program is already making an impact. People have come up to us and said that they've been able to purchase PPE that they wouldn't have been able to purchase. It's pretty heartening to hear that.

[A]

Climate Connections is produced by the Yale center for Environmental Communication. To learn more about climate, visit climateconnections.org.