The mercury is set to soar in several US cities hosting the FIFA World Cup this summer, putting thousands of essential workers at risk of heat-related illnesses and injuries. A recent study has highlighted the dire situation facing employees from delivery staff to law enforcement and concession vendors, who will be exposed to sweltering temperatures exceeding recommended limits.
Jonathan Alingu, co-executive director of Central Florida Jobs With Justice, warned that urgent action is needed to protect workers in cities such as Miami, Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta, where conditions are expected to reach 32 degrees Celsius or even 34 degrees Celsius. The tournament will take place across 16 host cities, with 11 in the US, including southern hubs which are most vulnerable to heat stress.
A research study has estimated that thousands of World Cup workers could be subjected to heat-exposure limits, putting them at significant risk of heat exhaustion and other serious illnesses. Andrew Grundstein, a geographer and climatologist at the University of Georgia who led the research, pointed out that a wide array of personnel will face heat-related hazards, including those working in stadiums lacking air conditioning, such as Miami's Hard Rock Stadium.
The study analysed historical weather data and wet-bulb globe temperatures to assess heat stress. While southern host cities present the most immediate dangers, researchers also advise cooler locations to prepare for unusually high temperatures. The specific working environment plays a crucial role, with staff undertaking strenuous physical labour, carrying heavy loads, or spending extended periods in direct sunlight particularly vulnerable.
Experts like Jordan Barab, former deputy assistant secretary of labour at the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), assert that effective protection measures are well-established. Mandated breaks, consistent access to water, and shaded areas are crucial in safeguarding workers. Barab noted that despite decades of knowledge on preventing heat-related illness and death, many employers still neglect these fundamental precautions, leading to preventable sickness and fatalities.
While FIFA does not directly control employment conditions, local organisers, stadium authorities, and contractors can influence safety standards. Margaret Morrissey-Basler, a senior adviser of occupational safety at the University of Connecticut's Korey Stringer Institute, urged host countries to take proactive steps in implementing heat-mitigation strategies and ensuring workers' welfare is prioritised.