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Climate Change & Health Hub​

Climate Change and Health Equity Newsletter​
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Warehouse worker with HRI tired  ​

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Climate Change and Worker Health

Climate change may affect you at work as temperatures rise and weather patterns shift. For example, heat, Valley fever and other infectious diseases, wildfire smoke, and pesticides can make you feel sick and create more challenging working conditions.

Heat at Work

Climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme heat, putting people who work both indoors and outside at greater risk of heat-related illness. These include people who work outdoors, like farm workers and construction crews, and indoor workers in hot places like warehouses and restaurant kitchens.

We provide information for workers and employers on preventing heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, including prevention tips, educational materials, safety requirements, and resources. Heat-related illness is preventable. Visit the Worker HEAT (Heat Effects and Tracking) Program for more information.

Warehouse worker supervisor using checklist  

Indoor Employers

Construction workers reviewing floor plans  

Outdoor Employers

Bakery worker taking bread from oven  

Workers

Valley Fever at Work

Workers digging in dry, dusty soil  

The risk of Valley fever continues to rise for people who work or spend time outdoors as California experiences hotter, drier conditions and more frequent dust-producing weather. Valley fever develops when a person breathes in a fungus found in dry, disturbed soil that becomes airborne. Workers in agriculture, construction, fire prevention or other outdoor work should be aware of Valley fever.

Work-Related Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis) – Information for workers and employers on preventing work-related Valley Fever, including posters and fact sheets for the workplace, recorded webinars and trainings, newsletters and investigations.

Wildfire Smoke at Work

Wildfire smoke events are a growing challenge and create hazards for individuals who work outdoors and in high-smoke exposure jobs. Wildfire Smoke Education Toolkit – Provides a train-the-trainer module (module 5) for community health workers and leaders to protect people from smoke on the job.

Program for Respirator Outreach, Training, Education, and Community Testing (PROTECT) - supports identifying jobsite hazards and strengthening preparedness so workers receive clear, practical guidance when smoke conditions worsen.

Wildfire smoke rising over a mountain landscape  

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases at Work

Workers handling vegetation in a wooded area  

Emerging patterns of warmer temperatures and shifting seasons are creating more opportunities for ticks and rodents to spread disease in parts of California where workers spend time outdoors or in rural settings. Employers and workers in high-risk settings can take steps to protect health.

Pesticides at Work

Climate change-driven shifts in crop yield can push farms to rely more heavily on pesticides. Recent findings from the International Labor Organization indicate that climate pressures can intensify pesticide use, underscoring the importance of clear, practical safety steps for those most exposed.

Occupational Pesticide Illness Prevention Program - Includes links to resources for people who mix, apply, or work near these chemicals.

Aircraft applying treatment over an agricultural field  

Respiratory Protection at Work

Worker wearing a protective respirator  

During days when the air isn't safe to breathe at work, respirators can help. California workers may face smoke, dust, or other climate related air problems, and respirators offer important protection in these situations.

We provide guidance to help workers understand what respirators are most protective for specific hazards, what employers need to know, and how to choose options that reduce exposure on the job.

How to protect yourself at work

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​Climate Change and Worker Health

Climate change may affect you at work as temperatures rise and weather patterns shift. For example, heat, Valley fever and other infectious diseases, wildfire smoke, and pesticides can make you feel sick and create more challenging working conditions. 

Heat at Work​​​​​

Left to right: construction workers, tired warehouse worker, outdoor workers, kitchen workers ​Climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme heat, putting people who work both indoors and outside at greater risk of heat-related illness. These include people who work outdoors, like farm workers and construction crews, and indoor workers in hot places like warehouses and restaurant kitchens.  

We provide information for workers and employers on preventing heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, includin​g prevention tips, educational materials, safety requirements, and resources. Heat-related illness is preventable. Visit the  Worker HEAT (Heat Effects and Tracking) Program​ for more information.

 (Click below to learn more)

Warehouse worker supervisor using checklistIndoor Employers

​Construction workers reviewing floor plans  Outdoor Employers​ 

Bakery worker taking bread from oven ​ Workers  ​​

Valley Fever at Work

Firefighter battle smoke terrain​

The risk of Valley fever continues to rise for people who work or spend time outdoors as California experiences hotter, drier conditions and more frequent dust-producing weather. Valley fever develops when a person breathes in a fungus found in dry, disturbed soil that becomes airborne. Workers in agriculture, construction, fire prevention or other outdoor work should be aware of Valley fever.

Work-Related Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis) – Information for workers and employers on preventing work-related Valley Fever, including posters and fact sheets for the workplace, recorded webinars and trainings, newsletters and investigations.

​​Wildfire Smoke at Work

Wildfire smoke in California.png

Wildfire smoke events are a growing challenge and create hazards for individuals who work outdoors and in high-smoke exposure jobs.

Wildfire Smoke Education Toolkit – Provides a train-the-trainer module (module 5) for community health workers and leaders  to protect people from smoke on the job.

Program for Respirator Outreach, Training, Education, and Community Testing (PROTECT) - supports identifying jobsite hazards and strengthening preparedness so workers receive clear, practical guidance when smoke conditions worsen.

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases at Work

Tree trimming workers.png







Emerging patterns of warmer temperatures and shifting seasons are creating more opportunities for ticks and rodents to spread disease in parts of California where workers spend time outdoors or in rural settings. Employers and workers in high-risk settings can take steps to protect health.​

Pesticides at Work

Pesticide image.png 

Climate change-driven shifts in crop yield can push farms to rely more heavily on pesticides. ‑Recent findings from the International Labor Organization indicate that climate pressures can intensify pesticide use, underscoring the importance of clear, practical safety steps for those most exposed.

Occupational Pesticide Illness Prevention Program  - Includes links to resources for people who mix, apply, or work near these chemicals.

​

Respiratory Protection at Work

Male with NIOSH approved respirator.png

During days when the air isn't safe to breathe at work, respirators can help. California workers may face smoke, dust, or other climate related air problems, and respirators offer important protection in these situations.

 We provide guidance to help workers understand what respirators are most protective for specific hazards, what employers need to know, and how to choose options that reduce exposure on the job.

​​​​How to protect yourself at work​


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