The federal government is drafting new workplace regulations to shield more than a million Canadians from extreme temperatures, as climate-related risks to employee health become a growing concern.Blacklock's Reporter says in a submission to the Senate national finance committee, the labour department confirmed it is finalizing updates to the Canada Labour Code to address “thermal stress,” which occurs when workers are exposed to very hot or very cold conditions. The changes would apply to 1.3 million workers in the federally regulated private sector.“The changes include specific limits for an employee’s exposure to hot or cold environments and requiring employers to implement procedures to reduce the risk of thermal stress when exposure reaches those limits,” wrote the department. .No enforcement date was provided, but the agency said the work is underway and publication is pending.The update was prompted by a June 18 Senate hearing in which Sen. Rosa Galvez of Québec raised concerns about the growing number of workers requesting time off due to extreme weather. “People are asking more and more for holidays or sick leave,” she said.The department acknowledged that workers over the age of 45 face higher risks. “As workers age their regular body processes tend to slow down,” noted a 2023 regulatory analysis, adding that heat and cold stress can trigger a range of health issues. .Once the new rules are in place, employers will be required to implement protective measures when conditions exceed established thresholds.Despite increased attention to heat-related risks, federal data show cold weather remains deadlier in Canada. Statistics Canada found an annual average of 110 people freeze to death each winter, compared to 31 deaths per year from heat stroke. A 2018 Department of Health study also found that many Canadian doctors do not see extreme heat as a serious issue, calling it “a very rare problem.”Still, the labour department emphasized the importance of managing both heat and cold exposure, and said new regulations will help ensure safer working conditions as climate patterns continue to shift.
