QUEEN’S PARK – Official Opposition NDP Critic for Climate Action Peter Tabuns (Toronto – Danforth) joined members of the Ontario Federation of Labour to launch a campaign to combat climate-driven heat stress in workplaces.
“Working in extreme heat conditions is putting Ontario’s workers’ health at risk,” said Tabuns. “Ontario’s summers are getting hotter and hotter, leading to unsafe work conditions for many workers in our province. We need better protections for workers from heat stress as Ontario faces more climate change driven extreme heat events. The time for action is now.”
"Heat-related hazards in the workplace are not new, but with changing climate and hotter summers, we need to take action to protect Workers,” added Jamie West (Sudbury), Official Opposition Labour Critic. “We hope to see some urgency from the Conservative government to ensure Workers aren’t injured from heat stress and heat stroke."
Tabuns will be introducing a motion in the legislature to revise health and safety legislation to protect workers being exposed to climate-driven extreme heat conditions on the job.
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“Extreme heat on the job is a serious health and safety issue in Ontario workplaces,” said Laura Walton, OFL President. “We need meaningful legislation that keeps all workers safe.”