Can your boss force you to work under a searing sun producing unhealthy heat levels or through the caustic smoke caused by any wildfires?

Many workers are so desperate for work that they may forgo workplace safety or remain silent about such issues.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, thousands of people become sick from occupational heat exposure every year; some of those cases end in fatalities.

“Most outdoor fatalities, 50 percent to 70 percent, occur in the first few days of working in warm or hot environments because the body needs to build a tolerance to the heat gradually over time,” OSHA‘s website states. “The process of building tolerance is called heat acclimatization. Lack of acclimatization represents a major risk factor for fatal outcomes.

“Occupational risk factors for heat illness include heavy physical activity, warm or hot environmental conditions, lack of acclimatization, and wearing clothing that holds in body heat.”

Here’s what workers need to know if supervisors try to force you to work through a heat wave or other hazardous weather conditions.

Can my boss force me to work through a heat wave?

There is no specific federal temperature cutoff at which OSHA says employers must send everyone home during a heat wave.

According to OSHA, only California, Colorado, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington have specific heat‑safety standards for workers. Several other states have heat guidance plans, which are not codified into law.

OSHA does identify which professions are most susceptible to heat-related illnesses — outdoor ones include construction (especially roadwork and similar work), roofing, and landscaping; indoor ones include electrical utilities, manufacturing, and warehousing.

So, your boss can make you work in hot weather, but they aren’t allowed to do it without basic protections when conditions are clearly dangerous.

What if the air is full of wildfire smoke?

For most, workers still rely on federal OSHA’s general “don’t expose people to serious hazards” rule — which usually means your boss can keep you on the schedule during smoky or sweltering days. However, your boss is supposed to monitor conditions, reduce your exposure where possible and provide appropriate protective gear.

When to report unsafe work conditions to OSHA

You can file a confidential complaint to OSHA online any time you believe working conditions are unsafe or unhealthful or that your employer is not following OSHA standards.

That includes serious heat or smoke situations where your employer is not providing basics like water, rest, shade or appropriate protective gear, or is ignoring symptoms that are being reported by workers.

OSHA does suggest workers raise the issue internally first to your supervisor, HR department or union, and document what’s happening. If nothing changes, you can then file a complaint.

Editor’s notes: This article first appeared in the Delaware News Journal and then was distributed on the USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect.

Also, workers can learn more about Oregon OSHA rules and guidelines concerning heat illness prevention by calling 503-378-3272 or visiting https://osha.oregon.gov/.

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