B2 – Upper Intermediate
With climate change getting worse, people from many countries in the Northern Hemisphere have been experiencing heat waves. Although a lot of us can find comfort by using an air conditioner at our own homes and in the office or taking a dip in the neighborhood swimming pool, there are those who cannot afford to do so because their work mainly requires them to be out there in the sun.
Listen to the audio and read the transcript to learn more about these work practices in the U.S. that could threaten the health of outdoor laborers.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/07/14/heat-workers-osha-protections/
Vocabulary Questions:
- Define the word “bevy”. “The result, experts say, is that workers in a bevy of industries — from farmworkers to roofers and delivery drivers to sanitation professionals — are left to defend themselves under the scorching sun.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
- What is the meaning of the word “strafe“? “July 4 was Earth’s hottest day on record as a heat dome smothered parts of Texas and conditions from El Niño, the infamous climate pattern that provokes stifling heat and harsh rains, began to strafe the West Coast.” Use it in your own sentence.
- What does the word “catchall” mean? “Extreme heat risk falls under the OSHA’s “general duty” clause, a catchall for job-site hazards without specific guidelines.” Use it in a sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- Share your thoughts on forcing people to work in deadly heat being legal.
- What jobs are mostly affected by extreme weather conditions?
- In your opinion, how does extreme heat affect the productivity of workers?
- How is the summer weather in your country? Is it tolerable? If not, how do you deal with this extreme summer weather?
- What are the workers’ legal protections related to extreme heat conditions in your country?
2 replies on “Working in Deadly Heat Is Legal”
Discussion Questions:
1. Share your thoughts on forcing people to work in deadly heat being legal.
I think they should change the laws and adapt them the faster they can. They should protect the workers more. And regarding the climate change worsening the situation if needed more than ever.
2. What jobs are mostly affected by extreme weather conditions?
According to the article: construction, agriculture, landscaping and roofing.
3. In your opinion, how does extreme heat affect the productivity of workers?
In bevy ways: consciousness problems, dehydration problems, concentration problems, irritability, etc.
4. How is the summer weather in your country? Is it tolerable? If not, how do you deal with this extreme summer weather?
It depends: in the north of Spain the weather conditions even in summer time tend to be acceptable, but not in the center and south of Spain because the temperatures are so high that it is impossible to work outdoors from 2 p.m., about all in July and August.
5. What are the workers’ legal protections related to extreme heat conditions in your country?
I think, Government are deeply concern about this issue and the try to adapt the legislation in order to protect the outdoor laborers. Everybody are aware that is a real problem and is getting worse because climate change.
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