Under the Same Sky with David Michaels, PhD, MPH
A critical component of achieving health equity lies in ensuring safe and healthy workplaces for all. In this episode of Under the Same Sky, we explored the escalating impact of climate change on worker’s health and safety. Abner Mason was joined by David Michaels, PhD, MPH, epidemiologist, professor at the George Washington University School of Public Health, and former Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). David brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the conversation as we looked at the intersection of climate crisis, public health, occupational safety, and health equity. His insights into the challenges facing workers and the potential solutions are invaluable for businesses, policymakers, and public health advocates alike. View the recording.
Early in the conversation, David shared how his journey into the field of public health and safety was sparked by reading "Causal Thinking in the Health Sciences" by Mervyn Susser. The title is a glimpse into how David approaches public health and focuses on driving better health outcomes. He has played a pivotal role in shaping policies that protect vulnerable populations in the workforce, particularly those in marginalized communities who often lack a voice in advocating for their own safety. During his tenure at OSHA, David prioritized the protection of workers exposed to hazardous conditions. His efforts extended to collaborating with Congress to create legislation that compensated workers affected by exposure to toxic substances, ultimately resulting in billions of dollars in compensation for workers and their families.
David’s commitment to worker safety continues through his involvement with the National Commission on Climate and Workforce Health. This newly established commission brings together dedicated businesses and experts to address the challenges posed by climate change in the workplace. David said a commission like this is needed because, “The climate crisis is changing the workplace dramatically. Government agencies like OSHA can't keep up. Their standards are never going to be changed fast enough to deal with this. These changing conditions and employers really have a responsibility to make their workplace safe.”
One of the most pressing issues highlighted in the conversation was the escalating risk of heat-related illnesses and fatalities among workers. “Another way to think about it is, this summer where it has been very hot is probably going to be the coolest summer for the rest of our lives,” said David as he emphasized the severity of the situation and the importance for employers to take proactive steps to protect their employees. While the new OSHA heat rule is still in the proposal phase, it represents a significant step forward in safeguarding worker health as it impacts 36 million workers in the US. Even in its early state, this proposed rule provides a great road map for businesses, and David urged them to familiarize themselves with the proposed regulations and begin implementing heat safety measures now, rather than waiting for the final rule to be issued. He shared simple yet effective solutions that some states have already enacted to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of such measures:
Implementing heat safety plans
Providing adequate rest breaks
Giving access to water and shade
Ensuring proper training for all workers
During this conversation, David also shared his insights from the recent G20 Labor and Employment Policy meeting, that he recently attended in Brazil. The US is behind almost every country, including some of the less developed countries, as they all already have national heat policies. David stressed that this reason is why US employers need to step up and not wait for the rule to be passed to create a plan.
Ensuring worker safety involves addressing the complex challenges posed by climate change, infectious diseases, and air pollution, which requires collaborative efforts between government, industry, and labor. To ensure this, David aims to involve employers in this endeavor to collectively work towards safeguarding millions of workers across various industries while ensuring productivity and loyalty in the workplace as a biproduct of these efforts.
“If you want to have a productive company, you’ve got to have workers who are healthy and who are loyal. Companies that cared about their workers and managed things early have workers that are safe and actually do better than those companies that cut corners and don’t really care so much.””
David’s dedication to improving workplace conditions for all, particularly those who lack a strong voice, serves as a powerful example of how individuals can drive meaningful change. There are various factors involved in health equity. By taking proactive steps to address these issues, we can create safer and healthier workplaces for all and drive meaningful change to a more equitable and just society.
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