MassCOSH

🔥 MASSACHUSETTS IS HEATING UP 🔥

Record-breaking temperatures and the threat of a “Super” El Niño are putting workers across the Commonwealth at even greater risk this summer.

From construction and public works to warehousing, farming, fishing, and outdoor labor — extreme heat is a workplace hazard.

MassCOSH Executive Director Tatiana Begault was featured alongside advocates and climate change activists from , , .river.watershed in statewide coverage calling for a strong statewide Heat Standard to protect workers through:
💧 Water
⏸️ Breaks
🌳 Shade
📚 Training
🛡️ Protection

As climate conditions intensify, Massachusetts must act NOW to protect workers and communities.
Courtesy of

📰 Read the full article here:
https://www.masslive.com/news/2026/05/this-weeks-heatwave-in-mass-and-what-a-super-el-nino-could-mean-for-the-summer.html

✊ Protect Workers. Save Lives.

HeatIllnessPrevention Massachusetts ElNino ExtremeHeat OccupationalSafety PublicHealth ClimateJustice ProtectWorkers SafetyFirs

Heat stress and heat exhaustion do not only affect the body — they can seriously impact the brain and mental health. Extreme heat can reduce concentration, slow reaction time, increase irritability, confusion, anxiety, and emotional distress, while severe heat stroke can lead to disorientation, hallucinations, seizures, memory problems, unconsciousness, and even permanent neurological damage. Workers exposed to prolonged heat may struggle to make safe decisions, increasing the risk of workplace injuries and fatalities. Staying hydrated, taking breaks, cooling down, and recognizing early warning signs can save lives.

STAY SAFE. GET TRAINED.
Water. Shade. Breaks. Repeat.

Hydration ClimateJustice HeatSafety OccupationalSafety StaySafeGetTrained

As temperatures continue to rise across Massachusetts, workers are facing increasing risks of heat stress, dehydration, heat exhaustion, and even death on the job. According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Occupational Health Surveillance Program (OHSP), Massachusetts averages approximately 67 fatal occupational injuries each year. Heat exposure continues to place outdoor workers, construction workers, warehouse employees, delivery workers, agricultural laborers, and indoor workers in high-heat environments at serious risk. (Massachusetts Government)

National data from OSHA estimates more than 33,890 serious work-related heat injuries and illnesses occurred between 2011–2020, with nearly 1,000 workers nationwide dying from environmental heat exposure. Experts also warn that heat-related injuries are significantly underreported. (OSHA)

MassCOSH continues to advocate for strong enforceable heat standards that protect workers through access to water, rest, shade, acclimatization, training, and emergency response plans. Dehydration can cause dizziness, headaches, confusion, fatigue, kidney damage, and increase the risk of workplace injuries and fatalities. No worker should have to risk their life simply to earn a paycheck.

Hydrate. Protect. Organize. Advocate.

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Heat can kill. So can ignoring the warning signs. ☀️🚨

Knowing the difference between heat stroke and a heart attack could save a coworker, friend, or loved one’s life. Workers across Massachusetts deserve safe jobs, healthy workplaces, and the right protections on every job site.

At MassCOSH, we believe prevention starts with education, advocacy, and action. If you see unsafe working conditions, heat hazards, lack of water or shade, retaliation, or any workplace health and safety violation — SPEAK UP and REPORT IT. Your voice can save lives.

💧 Stay hydrated
🧊 Take cooling and shade breaks
🦺 Know the signs
📢 Report unsafe conditions
📚 Get trained with MassCOSH in Heat Illness Prevention, workplace safety, labor rights, and health advocacy.

Together we can build safer workplaces and stronger communities.

📍 Learn more, get trained, or report concerns:
🌐 www.masscosh.org
📧 [email protected]

SafeJobs WorkerRights ConstructionSafety OccupationalSafety ClimateResiliency LaborRights OSHA WorkplaceSafety PublicHealth SafetyTraining UnionStrong WorkersHealth YoungWorkers SpeakUp HealthAndSafety ProtectWorkers Massachusetts SafetyFirst HeatStress ReportUnsafeConditions

🔥 Heat doesn’t discriminate — but too many workers and communities are still left unprotected.

May 18–22 is National Heat Safety Week ☀️ and MassCOSH is calling for stronger heat protections across the Commonwealth.

💧 Water
🌳 Shade
⏸️ Rest Breaks
🗣️ Speak Up

Heat-related illness is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S. Workers, elders, children, and historically overburdened communities face some of the greatest risks.

📚 Get trained in Heat Illness Prevention and Heat Standards with MassCOSH. Learn how to recognize symptoms, prevent heat stress, respond to emergencies, and protect your crew before it’s too late.

The ONLY red we want in Massachusetts is the RED SOX. ⚾🔥

Know it. Follow it. Live it.

ClimateJustice HeatStrokePrevention SafeJobs KnowYourRights PublicHealth RedSox ProtectWorkers EnvironmentalJustice Hydration OutdoorWorkers OSHA

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