Burned Out: How Extreme Heat Is Putting US Workers At Risk

Extreme heat is an environmental concern that has become a workplace crisis for many Americans. In our survey of over 400 outdoor and manual laborers, 85% reported working in extreme heat conditions. These workers shared how rising temperatures are not only threatening their health but also influencing their job security and future plans. Their experiences paint a stark picture of what it's like to work through heat waves with little protection.

Key takeaways

• 86% of heat-exposed workers have suffered from a heat-related illness, with dehydration (62%) and dizziness (56%) being the most common.

• 44% have witnessed a coworker collapse due to heat.

• 72% have gone to work in unsafe heat because they couldn't afford to stay home.

• 37% believe extreme heat will affect their ability to stay in their profession long term.

• 82% of heat-exposed workers don't know their state's legal protections for extreme heat.

The physical toll of extreme heat on workers

Across the country, outdoor workers are facing dangerous health risks from extreme heat. Many push through symptoms because they have no other choice.

A significant number of heat-exposed workers (86%) said they've experienced some form of heat-related illness while working. The most common symptoms were dehydration (62%), dizziness (56%), and nausea (42%). Another 41% reported suffering from heat exhaustion, a more serious condition that can lead to heat stroke.

More than 2 in 5 (44%) said they've seen a coworker collapse due to extreme heat on the job, and 4% had experienced heat stroke themselves. Financial pressure often forces people to risk their health, with 72% saying they've gone to work in dangerous temperatures because they couldn't afford to take time off.

How extreme heat shapes workers' futures

The consequences of working in extreme heat go beyond discomfort or illness. They are also affecting career longevity and decision-making.

Over one-third of heat-exposed workers (37%) said they believe extreme heat will eventually drive them out of their current profession. More than 1 in 10 (12%) already had plans to leave their jobs soon to escape heat exposure. Ten percent of workers were also willing to accept lower pay if it meant working indoors within the same field.

Another 37% had thought about leaving due to heat exposure but weren't planning to do so in the near future. Gen Z respondents were the most likely to agree, at 46%. Now that they know what it's like to work in the heat, 36% of workers said they would discourage younger people from entering their line of work due to growing heat-related dangers.

Protections in practice and the gaps

Despite the growing threat of extreme heat, most workers aren't fully informed about their legal rights or protections.

Some employers are stepping up to help protect their workers. The most common safety measures currently offered include:

• Providing free cool water (73%)

• Allowing regular rest breaks (63%)

• Training employees to recognize heat stress warning signs (37%)

• Offering shaded rest areas (37%)

• Adjusting workloads and tasks (25%)

Compared to our previous study, more employers are taking steps to protect heat-exposed workers. The share offering regular rest breaks rose from 41% in 2023 to 63% in 2025 — a 54% increase. Water breaks also became more common, climbing from 51% to 73%.

Despite these improvements, many workers remain uninformed about their broader rights. Most (82%) said they don't know what legal protections their state offers against extreme heat. Workers can check with their state's labor department or OSHA's regional office to learn about their rights and protections.

Another 77% said they were unsure if workers' compensation would cover a heat-related illness or injury. If job duties cause heat-related conditions like heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and dehydration, workers' comp may cover them. Workers facing these issues can speak with a legal expert or their state's workers' compensation office to understand what support may be available.

Methodology

Atticus surveyed 441 manual labor and blue-collar workers. To better understand the impact of environmental conditions, this report focused on the 85% of respondents who reported working in extreme heat. Only their responses are shown in the findings.

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