Advocates call on Quebec to adapt workplaces for extreme heat

Montreal - A new survey released by l’Association pour la santé publique du Québec shows that 72 percent of employed individuals in Quebec reported experiencing health issues such as dehydration and fatigue due to extreme heat at work. The organization is calling on the province to adopt cooling strategies in workplaces, including amending the building code to improve ventilation and providing outdoor workers with better access to cool areas.

Patrick Rondeau, director of the environment and just transition department at a major Quebec labour union, notes that the issue of heat-related work injuries has been increasing worldwide, with a 33 percent rise in the Americas since 2000. He warns that excessive temperatures and heat stress can lead to permanent injuries and even death.

Indoor workers, such as cleaners and ironers, are also at risk, as heat can linger without proper ventilation. The survey's director, Cyril Frazao, emphasizes that heat directly affects workers' productivity, with one in five employed people reporting their work becoming more challenging. The government can address the problem by reinforcing occupational health and safety legislation and adapting workplaces through cooling measures in buildings.