Working under the 2021 Heat Dome: A Content Analysis of Occupational Impacts Mentioned in the Canadian Media

Abstract

Extreme heat events directly impact worker health and cause additional cascading and transitional workplace impacts. However, current investigations on these impacts often rely on specific datasets (e.g., compensation claims, hospitalizations). Thus, to continue to work towards preventing and mitigating the occupational risks posed by extreme heat events, this study aimed to explore the occupational impacts of the 2021 Heat Dome in Canada using a qualitative content analysis method on a news-based dataset. A systematized review of news articles published before, during, and after the 2021 Heat Dome was conducted on academic (n = 8) and news (n = 5) databases, along with targeted grey literature. Two researchers qualitatively coded the articles in NVivo for occupational impacts or references mentioned within the articles. Overall, 52 different occupations were identified as being impacted by the 2021 Heat Dome. Impacts were diverse and ranged from work cancellations or delays to work modifications and reports of heat-related illnesses. The 2021 Heat Dome impacted the health and safety of many occupational groups and provided new insights into the expanding impacts that extreme heat events can have on the Canadian workforce. With climate projections showing a growing trend of more hot days and intense heat waves in Canada, addressing these concerns should be a critical priority.

Heatwave adaptation conditioned by everyday life: Analyzing interacting changes to daily activities during Pacific Northwest summers

“…This point emphasizes that although traditional links between activities and constraints have weakened with the rise of digital technologies (Couclelis, 2009;Schwanen et al, 2008a), many still remain. Intrapersonally, paid work constraints may shift due to a variety of situations, including ordinary circumstances such as paid leave during an illness, or during extreme circumstances such as an unforeseen heatwave, as some workplaces close or opening hours are reduced or shifted (Tetzlaff et al, 2023).…”

“…Following a North-South pattern, BC has the most temperate climate and most elastic workplace visitation during heatwaves, followed by Washington, then Oregon and California. In a review of occupational impacts of the 2021 heatwaves in British Columbia, the most commonly cited direct impact was work stoppage or cancellationin both indoor and outdoor sectors (Tetzlaff et al, 2023). In contrast, in Washington, Oregon, and California, protective occupational measures primarily involve cool-down breaks, shade, and education/training (Schmidt, 2022).…”